Islamic Revolutionary Court
Encyclopedia
Islamic Revolutionary Court (also Revolutionary tribunal Dadgah-ha-e Enqelab) is a special court in the Islamic Republic of Iran designed to try those suspected of smuggling, blaspheming, inticing violence or trying to overthrow the Iranian government . This revolutionary court started its work after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and remains in place as of 2010.
The trials are not public, there is no jury, and a single judge decides the matter at hand. Information on the trial is disclosed at the discretion of the government.
in Iran. The general goal of the court is thought to have been to seek vengeance against officials of the Shah's regime (particularly SAVAK
) - as many revolutionaries had lost friends and family members at the hands of the government - and to eliminate military and civilian leaders who might foment a counter-revolution against Islamic rule.
The first tribunal was convened secretly in Refah School in southern Tehran
where Khomeini had set up his headquarters. The first four death sentences were issued by Hojjat al-Islam Sadegh Khalkhali, approved by Khomeini, and carried out in the early hours of February 16, 1979. By early November, 550 people - mostly military and SAVAK - had been sent to the firing squads by revolutionary tribunals. Revolutionary Tribunals were set up in the major towns, with two courts in the capital of Tehran - one each in the prison of Qasr and Evin
, and one traveling tribunal for Sadegh Khalkhali, who was known for handing out many death sentences. The courts presiding judges were clerics appointed by Khomeini himself. The decisions rendered by the Revolutionary courts were final and could not be appealed, and so bypassed what remained of the Justice Ministry and its appeal system.
At least at first, the revolutionary courts differ from standard Western law courts by limiting trials to a few hours, sometimes minutes. Defendants could be found guilty on the basis of `popular repute.` The concept of defense attorney
was dismissed as a `Western
absurdity.` A charge that was widely applied against defendants but unfamiliar to some was Mofsed-e-filarz
, or `spreading corruption on earth.` This covered a variety of offenses - "`insulting Islam
and the clergy
,` `opposing the Islamic Revolution
,` `supporting the Pahlavi
s,` and `undermining Iran's independence` by helping the 1953 coup and giving capitulatory privileges to the imperial powers."
The secrecy, vagueness of charges, lack of opportunity for defendants to defend themselves came under criticism from people such as Ayatollah Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari, Hassan Tabatabai-Qomi and Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan
. But the court's swift and harsh sentences also had strong support from both Islamists and leftist groups such as the Tudeh party and People's Mujahedin of Iran
. Khomeini responded by saying that "criminals should not be tried, they should be killed." Sadegh Khalkhali stated `The revolutionary courts were born out of the anger of the Iranian people and these people will not accept any principles outside Islamic principles." Attempts by Bazargan to appeal to Khomeini to restrict the courts only led to the courts becoming "stronger and more firmly entrenched."
In 2006 it was scheduled to try Cartoonist Mana Neyestani
and his editor-in-chief Mehrdad Qassemfar "for inciting ethnic unrest" after a Neyestani cartoon triggered protests and violence among the Turkish-speaking population in northwestern parts of Iran after appearing in a weekly supplement "Iran Jomeh."
The Islamic Revolutionary Court normally deals with major crimes such as disrupting the national economy, jeopardizing national security, and large-scale drug and human trafficking.
Jurisdiction
The Court's jurisdictions are as follows,- All of the offenses against the internal and external security of the Country, combating and behaving in a corruptly manner on the earth.
- Uttering slanderBlasphemy laws of the Islamic Republic of IranIran is a constitutional, Islamic theocracy. Its official religion is the doctrine of the Twelver Jaafari School. Iran's law against blasphemy derives from Sharia. Blasphemers are usually charged with "spreading corruption on earth", or mofsed-e-filarz, which can also be applied to criminal or...
against the Founder of the Islamic Republic of IranRuhollah KhomeiniGrand Ayatollah Sayyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini was an Iranian religious leader and politician, and leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution which saw the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran...
and the Honorable LeaderSupreme leaderA supreme leader typically refers to a figure in the highest leadership position of an entity, group, organization, or state, who exercises strong or all-powerful authority over it. In religion, the supreme leader or supreme leaders is God or Gods...
. - Conspiracy against the Islamic Republic of Iran or carrying arms, use of terrorism, destruction of building against the Islamic Republic.
- Engaging in espionageEspionageEspionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
for aliens. - All crimes involving smugglings and narcotic items.
- The cases pertinent to Article 49 of the Constitution of Iran.
The trials are not public, there is no jury, and a single judge decides the matter at hand. Information on the trial is disclosed at the discretion of the government.
Revolution
The revolutionary courts were created shortly after the overthrow of the monarchy and the arrival of Ayatollah Ruhollah KhomeiniRuhollah Khomeini
Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini was an Iranian religious leader and politician, and leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution which saw the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran...
in Iran. The general goal of the court is thought to have been to seek vengeance against officials of the Shah's regime (particularly SAVAK
SAVAK
SAVAK was the secret police, domestic security and intelligence service established by Iran's Mohammad Reza Shah on the recommendation of the British Government and with the help of the United States' Central Intelligence Agency SAVAK (Persian: ساواک, short for سازمان اطلاعات و امنیت کشور...
) - as many revolutionaries had lost friends and family members at the hands of the government - and to eliminate military and civilian leaders who might foment a counter-revolution against Islamic rule.
The first tribunal was convened secretly in Refah School in southern Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
where Khomeini had set up his headquarters. The first four death sentences were issued by Hojjat al-Islam Sadegh Khalkhali, approved by Khomeini, and carried out in the early hours of February 16, 1979. By early November, 550 people - mostly military and SAVAK - had been sent to the firing squads by revolutionary tribunals. Revolutionary Tribunals were set up in the major towns, with two courts in the capital of Tehran - one each in the prison of Qasr and Evin
Evin Prison
Evin House of Detention is a prison in Iran, located in Evin, northwestern Tehran. It is noted for its political prisoners' wing, where prisoners have been held both before and after the 1979 Iranian Revolution...
, and one traveling tribunal for Sadegh Khalkhali, who was known for handing out many death sentences. The courts presiding judges were clerics appointed by Khomeini himself. The decisions rendered by the Revolutionary courts were final and could not be appealed, and so bypassed what remained of the Justice Ministry and its appeal system.
At least at first, the revolutionary courts differ from standard Western law courts by limiting trials to a few hours, sometimes minutes. Defendants could be found guilty on the basis of `popular repute.` The concept of defense attorney
Defense (legal)
In civil proceedings and criminal prosecutions under the common law, a defendant may raise a defense in an attempt to avoid criminal or civil liability...
was dismissed as a `Western
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
absurdity.` A charge that was widely applied against defendants but unfamiliar to some was Mofsed-e-filarz
Mofsed-e-filarz
Mofsed-e-filarz is the title of capital crime in the Islamic Republic of Iran, that has been translated in English language sources variously as "spreading corruption on earth", "spreading corruption that threatens social and political well-being", "corrupt of the earth; one who is...
, or `spreading corruption on earth.` This covered a variety of offenses - "`insulting Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
,` `opposing the Islamic Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
,` `supporting the Pahlavi
Pahlavi dynasty
The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi (reg. 1925–1941) and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty ...
s,` and `undermining Iran's independence` by helping the 1953 coup and giving capitulatory privileges to the imperial powers."
The secrecy, vagueness of charges, lack of opportunity for defendants to defend themselves came under criticism from people such as Ayatollah Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari, Hassan Tabatabai-Qomi and Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan
Mehdi Bazargan
Mehdi Bazargan was a prominent Iranian scholar, academic, long-time pro-democracy activist and head of Iran's interim government, making him Iran's first prime minister after the Iranian Revolution of 1979. He was the head of the first engineering department of Tehran University...
. But the court's swift and harsh sentences also had strong support from both Islamists and leftist groups such as the Tudeh party and People's Mujahedin of Iran
People's Mujahedin of Iran
The People's Mujahedin of Iran is a terrorist militant organization that advocates the overthrow of the Islamic Republic of Iran....
. Khomeini responded by saying that "criminals should not be tried, they should be killed." Sadegh Khalkhali stated `The revolutionary courts were born out of the anger of the Iranian people and these people will not accept any principles outside Islamic principles." Attempts by Bazargan to appeal to Khomeini to restrict the courts only led to the courts becoming "stronger and more firmly entrenched."
1980 to present
The Islamic Revolutionary Court is infamous for having executed thousands of secularists and communists in the 1980s.In 2006 it was scheduled to try Cartoonist Mana Neyestani
Mana Neyestani
Mana Neyestani is an Iranian cartoonist. He is the brother of Touka Neyestani, who is also a cartoonist.-Biography:He is of Iranian Azeri ethnicity. Riots erupted by ethnic Azeris in Iran when they took offense in Mana Neyestani's , published in the children's section of the 12 May 2006 supplement...
and his editor-in-chief Mehrdad Qassemfar "for inciting ethnic unrest" after a Neyestani cartoon triggered protests and violence among the Turkish-speaking population in northwestern parts of Iran after appearing in a weekly supplement "Iran Jomeh."
The Islamic Revolutionary Court normally deals with major crimes such as disrupting the national economy, jeopardizing national security, and large-scale drug and human trafficking.
See also
- Judicial system of IranJudicial system of IranA nationwide judicial system in Iran was first implemented and established by Abdolhossein Teymourtash under Reza Shah, with further changes during the second Pahlavi era....
- Special Clerical CourtSpecial Clerical CourtSpecial Clerical Court, or Special Court for Clerics is an Iranian court system for examining transgressions within the clerical establishment. It tries Shia Muslim clerics, although it has also taken on cases involving lay people. The court functions independently of the regular Iranian judicial...
- Enemies of Islam
- Freedom of speech in Iran
- Corruption in IranCorruption in IranThe Islamic Republic of Iran suffers from widespread corruption.- Corruption levels :According to Transparency International, which publishes the annual Corruption Perception Index, in 2009 Iran fell from 141st on the list of 180 countries to eighth from bottom – one of the most marked...
- Smuggling in Iran
External links
- Human Rights Watch Condemns Killing Of Iranian Civilians June 3, 1998
- Zan CENSORED 6 April 1999