Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), published an article in response to the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, describing the mass executions of 1988 as a “successful experience” and calling for their repetition in dealing with today’s opposition to Iran’s regime.
Referring to recent security conditions in Iran, Fars described regime opponents as involved in “transferring information to Israel and smuggling weapons,” claiming their execution is a “legitimate public demand.”
The article states: “Under current circumstances, where some mercenary elements have provided information to the enemy with the support of Israel and Western intelligence agencies, they deserve execution in the manner of 1988.”
Pursuing Justice for Iran’s 1988 Massacre: A Significant Step Forward
In the summer of 1988, Iran’s regime launched a massive wave of political executions targeting thousands of prisoners. This atrocity, known as the “1988 massacre,” claimed the lives of many individuals who had already been tried and were serving their sentences. Within weeks, so-called “Death Committees” used brief ideological questions to decide the fate of prisoners, sending hundreds to execution squads. Human rights organizations have described the executions as crimes against humanity. Families of the victims are still denied the right to know the burial locations of their loved ones. The majority of the estimated 30,000 executed prisoners were members and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
Fars defended the 1980s executions and the position of Ruhollah Khomeini, the former leader of Iran’s regime, stating: “This judicial action was necessary to maintain national security, administer justice, and put an end to the ongoing terrorist threat within the country.”
The IRGC-affiliated outlet continued: “Contrary to the propaganda of hostile networks that portrayed the 1988 executions as anti-human rights and tried to label figures like [former regime president Ebrahim] Raisi as the ‘Ayatollah of Executions,’ public opinion values the necessity of such rightful action.”
Following the recent war between Iran’s regime and Israel, the regime has intensified repression of its citizens, launching a wave of summonses, arrests, and the issuance and execution of death sentences.
The judicial and intelligence agencies of Iran’s regime have accused several detainees of “espionage” and “collaboration” with Israel.
On June 25, Amnesty International warned that Iran’s regime is using executions to repress dissent and instill fear in society.
Bill to Intensify Punishments for Opponents
On June 23, members of Iran’s regime parliament approved the general and detailed provisions of a 9-article bill intensifying punishments for “espionage” and “collaboration” with Israel, the U.S., and “hostile states against national security and interests.”
Under the bill, any “intelligence, espionage, or operational activity” for Israel, the U.S., or “other hostile regimes and groups or any of their agents against national security or interests” is categorized as “corruption on earth” and subject to the death penalty.
