Controversial Actions and Human Rights Violations
One of the most notorious aspects of Saeed Mortazavi’s career has been his involvement in the shutting down of the press and the persecution of journalists. Under his leadership, many of Iran’s prominent journalists were arrested, tried, and imprisoned.
These actions were part of Mortazavi’s broader strategy to crack down on dissent and suppress freedom of expression. His role in the dissolution of the press court and the seizure of several press outlets during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami marked a dark chapter in Iran’s recent history of press freedom.
The Aftermath of the 2009 Presidential Election
One of the darkest episodes associated with Mortazavi’s tenure occurred in the aftermath of the disputed 2009 Iranian Presidential Election. Following allegations of electoral fraud, widespread protests broke out across the country. Mortazavi, as Tehran’s prosecutor, was involved in the heavy crackdown on protesters. His handling of detainees and his alleged mistreatment of opposition figures led to widespread criticism.
