Crowds Gather for Funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
Large crowds have begun to gather in Tehran for the funeral ceremony of Iran’s late President Ebrahim Raisi.
Tragic Helicopter Crash
President Raisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six others, perished in a helicopter crash on Sunday near the border with Azerbaijan.
Ceremony Details
The ceremony will commence with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading prayers in the capital. Following this, coffins draped in the Iranian flag will be taken to the city’s main Azadi Square.
Warnings Against Demonstrations
Authorities have issued warnings against any demonstrations during the funeral procession and against posting insults online.
Tributes and Mourning
Across Tehran, large banners have been raised, hailing Mr. Raisi as “the martyr of service,” while others bid “farewell to the servant of the disadvantaged.” According to AFP, some residents received text messages urging them to attend the ceremonies on Wednesday. State TV footage showed streets filled with mourners, many carrying pictures of Mr. Raisi or the Iranian flag.
Foreign Dignitaries and Nationwide Mourning
A handful of foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the proceedings. Funeral rites for the deceased began on Tuesday in Tabriz and the Shiite clerical center of Qom, where thousands of black-clad mourners attended ceremonies.
Procession and Burial Plans
After Wednesday’s procession in Tehran, Mr. Raisi’s remains will be moved to South Khorasan province and then transferred to his home city of Mashhad in the northeast. He will be buried on Thursday evening in the city after funeral rites at the Imam Reza shrine. The country has declared five days of national mourning.
Controversial Legacy
Mr. Raisi was a highly divisive figure in Iran. In the 1980s, he oversaw the executions of numerous opposition activists as a prosecutor. More recently, he was responsible for a brutal crackdown on demonstrators angered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died three days after being detained by morality police for allegedly violating Iran’s strict hijab rules. Despite his controversial actions, his ultra-conservative outlook garnered support from regime loyalists, and he was considered a potential successor to Ayatollah Khamenei.
