In the history of Iran after the start of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s reign in 1979, some people gained notoriety for their cruelty in the regime’s prisons. One of them was the infamous butcher Asadollah Lajevardi and the other one famous, known as a ‘bloodthirsty man,’ who was the mastermind of many of the regime’s torture practices such as the ‘cage’ and the ‘coffin’, Davood Rahmani or Haj Davood.
In an article entitled “Death in Silence” the journalist of the state-run daily Ensaf News tried to explain this butcher’s record, as one of the only media who dare to speak about him.
In this note, the article confessed to the deep hatred of the people against the regime. So much so that the regime was forced to carry out the mourning ceremony of this butcher in silence and without media cover.
“The death of Davood Rahmani, known as Haj Davood, the head of Qezelhesar Prison, during 1981-1984 drew widespread reactions from opponents of the Islamic Republic abroad, just as they were accompanied by silence, passivity, and unawareness inside.
“What makes this event strange is the silence of almost all domestic political factions and even those who continue to support Asadollah Lajevardi’s performance during his headship of the Revolutionary Court in the 1980s without the least criticism.
“More importantly, Haj Davood strongly supported his performance until the last days of Lajevardi’s presence as the prosecutor. From this perspective, media silence on his death may be interpreted as saying that no movement is willing to endorse Haj Davood’s performance during his leadership in Qezelhesar Prison.” (State-run daily Ensaf News, October 31, 2021)
What is the sign of ‘silence, passivity, and unawareness? Why have none of the regime’s officials and other state media outlets dared to defend this butcher in public? And who are the supporters of Lajevardi and Haj Davood?
These are questions that the author of the article did not dare to mention. Because digging into such subjects is a red line of the regime. Because people like them were in support of the regime’s existence with the help of any inhuman tool.
The regime’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei in his message on August 24, 1998, called Lajevardi an ‘Honorable Man and a Mojahed on Gods path’ and ‘one of the bright shining faces of the revolution.’
However, this time even he did not mention the death of the second most infamous butcher in Iran, someone whose acts ensured Khamenei and the regime’s reign. The question is why?
The answer is simple. Killing, imprisoning, and torturing opponents is not working anymore at frightening the nation into submission. Such acts are increasing the number of dissidents at a dangerous level for the regime. The pillar of the people’s fury is much taller than the regime’s repression. And, according to Iran experts, the regime is on the verge of falling.
The November 2019 protest and the death of 1500 protesters have changed the game and have radicalized the country’s atmosphere, experts argue. The regime’s officials have no other fate than to wait for their final verdict.
