Ebrahim Raisi and the 1988 Massacre: Controversy over political prisoner executions

The summer of 1988 is a dark chapter in Iran’s history, marked by the execution of thousands of political prisoners. This period, usually referred to as the “1988 Massacre,” is still a very traumatic and divisive topic because prominent members of the Iranian leadership, such as Ebrahim Raisi, were involved.

His involvement in these events had a long-lasting impact on his political career. While rising through the ranks to become the head of Iran’s judiciary and ultimately the President of Iran, his past actions during the 1988 executions reappeared, provoking enormous internal and international criticism.

The arguments

Raisi’s role in the 1988 executions has been a source of debate on a global scale. Western nations and human rights organisations have used his past to criticise his leadership and call into doubt Iran’s human rights commitments. The scandal has also hampered diplomatic relations, hampering talks and engagements with the Iranian leadership.

The former Iranian leader had mostly avoided explicitly responding to these claims. When questioned, he frequently evaded, citing the circumstances of the time—a nation at war and under attack from internal foes. Moreover, his supporters argue that his actions were crucial to prevent the Islamic Republic from collapsing. However, this account has done little to appease those who have lost loved ones or to calm the global outcry.

Domestically, the legacy of 1988 continues to divide Iranian society. Many people are deeply angry and traumatised as a result of the executions. Families of the victims, many of whom have never received official acknowledgement or information regarding their loved ones’ whereabouts, continue to seek justice. Activists and opposition groups use the memory of 1988 to question the legitimacy of Raisi’s administration.

As global concern to human rights has grown, the 1988 executions have received increased attention. Documentaries, reports, and survivor accounts have revealed additional evidence, reinforcing calls for accountability. This continued examination highlights a larger conflict within Iran: a government attempting to maintain control and a public longing for justice and openness.

The facts

At the time, Iran was in the last phases of the long Iran-Iraq War, which had depleted the country’s resources and morale. Internally, the regime faced strong opposition from numerous political forces, most notably the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) and other Marxist organisations. The regime saw these groups as existential dangers, prompting brutal crackdowns.

Ebrahim Raisi, then a young deputy prosecutor, was instrumental in these events. He served on the “death committee,” a panel of authorities in charge of questioning captives and deciding their fates. These committees worked with brutal efficiency, convening inmates, many of whom had already served significant portions of their sentences, and urging them to renounce their affiliations. Those who refused or were deemed insufficiently repentant were put to death.

The process was quick and severe. Thousands of captives were executed over the period of a few months, and their bodies were buried in mass graves. The exact locations of these graveyards remain unknown to many mourning families. The actual number of victims also remains unknown. However, estimates range between 4,000 to 30,000.

Human rights organisations, survivors, and families of the victims repeatedly demanded accountability. They alleged that Raisi and others committed crimes against humanity. These calls have only grown stronger as Raisi’s political clout expanded.