German Prosecutor's Office Confirms Receipt of Complaint Against Shahroudi

The German Prosecutor's Office has stated that it has received a complaint against Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, the head of the Expediency Discernment Council, who is undergoing treatment in Hanover. A spokesperson for the German Prosecutor's Office confirmed on January 9 that a former legislator from that country has filed a complaint centered on 'crimes against humanity' against Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi during his tenure as head of Iran's judiciary. This complaint was prepared by Volker Beck, a former representative from the Green Party. The German Prosecutor's Office did not specify how long it would take to decide on the potential issuance of a ruling regarding the complaint. The Jerusalem Post has also reported that the Niedersachsen Prosecutor's Office, where Hanover is located, is examining the criminal complaint against Mr. Shahroudi. Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, who has not been seen in public gatherings or sessions of the Expediency Discernment Council recently, traveled to Germany for treatment. Initial reports regarding Mr. Shahroudi's trip to Germany were confirmed by the German government on January 8. Berlin stated that this senior official of the Islamic Republic was seeking treatment in the country due to 'serious illness' and that the request was approved for 'valid medical reasons.' Shortly after Shahroudi's presence in Germany, attention was drawn to him. He served as the head of Iran's judiciary for two consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008, appointed by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. There has been significant international criticism directed at the judiciary's performance regarding issues such as widespread executions and its treatment of citizens, political protesters, civil and social activists, and various believers. Volker Beck, the political figure who filed the complaint with the German Prosecutor's Office, told the Jerusalem Post that over two thousand executions were recorded in Iran during Shahroudi's ten-year presidency of the judiciary, many of which were based on charges such as 'moharebeh' (waging war against God) or religious or ethnic reasons. Mr. Beck also spoke of the 'clear contradiction' of some executions with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and various instances of torture. The German newspaper Bild had reported two days ago on its front page: 'Death Judge in Iran, Luxury Patient in Germany.' On January 7, dozens of protesters gathered in front of the hospital where Shahroudi is hospitalized in Germany. When he took over the judiciary, Mr. Shahroudi had severely criticized this institution, stating that he had inherited a 'ruin.' He has yet to respond to the allegations against him. Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi was born in Najaf, Iraq, and is currently 69 years old. After the 1979 revolution, he moved from Najaf to Iran and fought against Saddam Hussein's regime by establishing the 'Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.' Mr. Shahroudi is a member of the Guardian Council and was the fourth head of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic. He was appointed as the head of the Expediency Discernment Council in the summer of this year, a few months after the death of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.