The Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, officially approved Ebrahim Raisi as the regime’s new president. Simultaneously, Iranian expatriates held several protests in dozen cities in Europe and the United States.
Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in London, United Kingdom, held a protest rally, urging the international community to prosecute Raisi for his role in the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners. They held a banner that read: “Raisi, guilty of the massacre of thousands of political prisoners must be prosecuted.” They also held signs which read: “Iranian people want regime change,” echoing the recent calls for regime change in Iran protests across the country.
Stockholm, Sweden
Iranian expatriates rally to voice support for protests across #Iran and condemn the regime's incoming president Ebrahim Raisi, dubbed the "Butcher of Tehran."#ProsecuteRaisiNOW pic.twitter.com/v4qqAnavr6— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 3, 2021
In another rally in Italy, Iranians gathered to express their solidarity with their risen compatriots in Iran and called for the prosecution of Raisi.
They held a banner, quoting Amnesty International’s call for holding Raisi accountable for his role in the 1988 massacre.
Iranian expatriates hold a gathering to support protests across Iran in Bucharest, Romania and condemned the Raisi. They held a photo exhibition shedding light on Raisi’s dark record.
Bucharest, Romania
Iranian expatriates hold a gathering in support of protests across #Iran and condemning the regime's incoming president Ebrahim Raisi.#ProsecuteRaisiNOW pic.twitter.com/TZE79dSu8y— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 3, 2021
In Germany, the Iranian expatriates held rallies in Berlin and Munster, condemning the regime’s incoming president Raisi, especially his direct role in the 1988 massacre. Hey held banners urging the international community to prosecute Raisi.
Berlin, Germany
Iranian expatriates hold a gathering in support of protests across #Iran and condemning the regime's incoming president Ebrahim Raisi.#ProsecuteRaisiNOW pic.twitter.com/7gYVt1qaan— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 3, 2021
Münster, Germany
Iranian expatriates hold a gathering in support of protests across #Iran and condemning the regime's incoming president Ebrahim Raisi.#ProsecuteRaisiNOW pic.twitter.com/24TxPrsGqK— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 3, 2021
Similar protests were held in other cities across Europe on Tuesday, including Paris, The Haque, Bern, Brussels, etc.
Bern, Switzerland
Iranian expatriates rally in support of protests across #Iran and condemning the regime's incoming president Ebrahim Raisi, dubbed the "Butcher of Tehran."#ProsecuteRaisiNOW pic.twitter.com/zw8AeM6tB3— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 3, 2021
Paris, France
Iranian expatriates hold a gathering in support of protests across #Iran and condemning the regime's incoming president Ebrahim Raisi.#ProsecuteRaisiNOWpic.twitter.com/63Bo6Q5XHA— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 3, 2021
On Sunday, the Organization of Iranian Communities in the United States held a rally and a photo exhibition in front of the U.S. Capitol. Hundreds of Iranians, including relatives of victims and witnesses, participated in this event, calling for the prosecution of Raisi for crimes against humanity. Participants expressed support for pro-democracy protesters in Iran.
OIAC called on the United States government to lead an international inquiry into the 1988 Massacre, hold Raisi accountable.
Iranian Americans called on the President of the United States to hold Iranian leaders accountable for ongoing crimes against humanity.
Background
In the summer of 1988, the Iranian regime massacred over 30,000 political prisoners held in jails across Iran. The massacre was carried out based on a fatwa by the regime’s then-Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini.
Raisi played a key role in the 1988 massacre as one of the members of Tehran’s “Death Commission.” Khamenei selected Raisi during the recent sham presidential election to consolidate power in his regime. The Iranian people showed they do not want this regime by boycotting the sham elections and reiterated their demands for regime change in recent protests in Khuzestan. The international community should support the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic country and hold Raisi to account.