Not much is known about Judge Mohammad Reza Tavakoli, except his penchant for handing out harsh punishments. Honored by the Iranian judiciary as an “exemplary judge,” he may be about to add 12 men to the dozens of political prisoners alreadyexecutedin recent months.
On July 5, the countrys Supreme Court upheld the death sentences imposed by Tavakoli on the men for their alleged role in killing special forces officers during protests in Isfahan, in central Iran, on January 8.
Their executions might now be imminent.
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A recent tally byAmnesty Internationalsaid there had been 44 politically motivated executions under cover of what the authorities call wartime conditions since US and Israeli air strikes on Iran began on February 28. There was another on July 15, with the execution of Mohammad Amini Dehaqani for his role innationwide protestsin January.
Judge Tavakoli is now set to become responsible for a huge share of the total death sentences carried out. Given his previous record, this should come as no surprise.
A ‘Model Judge’ Of The Islamic Republic
Iranian media affiliated with the authorities have celebrated Tavakoli as one of the model judges of the Islamic republic. He has also won praise and recognition from other members of the judiciary.
But despite his prominence, almost nothing is known about his background. It has not even been established where and when he was born or educated.
According to reports in official Iranian media, he was appointed deputy judicial chief of the General and Revolutionary Courts of Isfahan and head of Branch One of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court in November 2023.
It was in April the following year that he came to prominence, after issuing a death sentence against rap artistToomaj Salehi.
The 33-year-old had originally been detained for singing about Irans nationwide Women, Life, Freedom protests in 2022. Following his release, he posted a video claiming hed been tortured — and was promptly rearrested.
