A Hard Line Cleric With A Controversial Past

Ebrahim Raisi: The New President of Iran

A Hard-Line Cleric with a Controversial Past

Ebrahim Raisi, 63, was elected president of Iran in 2021 amidst widespread protests and allegations of voter fraud. A hard-line religious cleric, Raisi has a long history of human rights abuses and is considered an ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Born on December 14, 1960, Raisi began his career in the judiciary as a prosecutor in Karaj. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Attorney General in 1989 and Head of the Judiciary in 2019. Raisi's tenure as Head of the Judiciary was marked by the mass execution of political prisoners, the suppression of dissent, and the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities.

Raisi's election as president has drawn international condemnation. The United States has imposed sanctions on him for his human rights violations, and the United Nations has called for an investigation into his role in the executions of political prisoners.

Despite the controversy surrounding his election, Raisi has vowed to bring stability and prosperity to Iran. However, his authoritarian approach and his close ties to the regime's hard-liners have raised concerns about the future of human rights and democracy in the country. It remains to be seen whether Raisi will be able to fulfill his promises or whether his presidency will only serve to further entrench the Islamic Republic's authoritarian rule.