In a poignant display of grief, thousands of mourners filled the streets of Tabriz this morning to honor Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died less than 48 hours after his helicopter crashed into a mountainside in northwest Iran.
The streets were lined with heavily armed guards as Iranian officials and dignitaries delivered heartfelt speeches, played solemn music, and offered prayers for the deceased leader.
The Procession and Public Mourning
The funeral procession was a significant event, marked by the presence of a white truck carrying the coffins of Raisi, his foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and seven others who perished in the crash.
The truck’s bed was open, showcasing the coffins adorned with images and covered in flowers, allowing mourners to run alongside and pay their respects.
Despite the solemn atmosphere, several mourners tried to touch the coffins but were kept at bay by stern-faced guards.
Final Journey and Burial Plans
Following the procession in Tabriz, Raisi’s body will be transported to the Shiite clerical center of Qom before being moved to Tehran later in the evening. The capital will hold processions on Wednesday morning, where Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will lead prayers at a farewell ceremony.
Raisi’s final resting place will be in his home city of Mashhad, where he will be buried on Thursday evening after funeral rites.
National Mourning and Controversy
Supreme Leader Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning to honor Raisi and those who died with him. However, the regime faces backlash as many Iranians, both domestically and abroad, have been celebrating Raisi’s death.
Social media has been flooded with footage of revelers expressing delight at the news. Raisi had garnered a reputation as a brutal enforcer of Khamenei’s will, earning the moniker “the Butcher of Tehran” for his role in executing thousands of political prisoners.
Details of the Fatal Crash
The crash claimed the lives of Raisi, 63, and other high-ranking officials, including Abdollahian, Eastern Azerbaijan province Governor Malek Rahmati, and Tabriz’s Friday prayer Imam Mohammad Ali Alehashem. Two pilots and three additional Iranian officials and security guards also died.
Drone footage revealed the helicopter, an aged US-made Bell 212, had shattered upon landing.
Iranian and Turkish news agencies showed solemn rescuers carrying covered corpses from the forest surrounding the crash site.
Questions and Speculations
Iran has yet to provide detailed information about the crash, only attributing it to poor weather conditions.
However, Iranian aircraft, especially Western models like the Bell 212, are known for being unsafe and poorly maintained due to longstanding Western sanctions that restrict access to spare parts.
The exact manufacturing date of Raisi’s helicopter is unknown, but the Bell 212 has been in service for over 50 years, first entering use in the early 1970s.
Political Implications
According to Iran’s constitution, a new presidential election must be called within 50 days of the president’s death.
Raisi’s demise is expected to trigger a power struggle among various ambitious candidates.
While thousands of Iranians celebrate the death of the “Butcher of Tehran,” others are concerned about the potential for increased instability and political maneuvering.
Celebrations Amid Mourning
Despite the official mourning period, numerous Iranians have expressed jubilation over Raisi’s death. The daughters of Minoo Majidi, a woman killed by security forces during the 2022 protests following Mahsa Amini’s death, posted a video toasting the news.
Other videos show women dancing and smiling, including Mersedeh Shahinkar, who was blinded during the protests, and Sima Moradbeigi, who lost the use of her arm after being shot by security forces.
Additionally, unverified footage shows people setting off fireworks in Tehran, and Iranian diaspora members in European cities holding celebratory gatherings.
Raisi’s Legacy and Controversial Rule
Raisi, who ascended to the presidency in 2021, was widely seen as a loyal enforcer of Supreme Leader Khamenei’s directives.
Despite winning the presidency with a significant majority, voter turnout was low due to the barring of moderate candidates.
Raisi’s political career began in the 1979 revolution, where he developed connections with religious leaders that propelled him into powerful judicial positions.
His role in the 1988 mass executions earned him a fearsome reputation.
The Impact of Mahsa Amini’s Death
In 2022, Raisi intensified the enforcement of Iran’s “hijab and chastity law,” leading to the detention and subsequent death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by the morality police.
Her death sparked widespread protests, marking one of the most severe challenges to Iran’s clerical rulers since the 1979 revolution.
The government’s brutal crackdown resulted in hundreds of deaths, highlighting Raisi’s harsh policies.
Conclusion: A Nation Divided
The mourning and celebrations following Raisi’s death underscore the deep divisions within Iranian society.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the crash and prepares for new presidential elections, the legacy of Ebrahim Raisi continues to evoke strong emotions and highlight the ongoing struggle for justice and reform in Iran.
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