Entry into Political and Judicial Roles
Following the success of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the newly established Islamic Republic required loyal and ideologically driven individuals to staff its institutions. Nayyari, who had proven himself a committed follower of the revolutionary cause, entered the judiciary during a time of purges, retribution, and radical restructuring of Iranian political life.
By 1983, at the relatively young age of 26, Nayyari had been appointed as Sharia judge in Evin Prison—one of the most notorious detention centers in Iran, housing a significant number of political prisoners, including leftists, Marxists, and members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK). His tenure in Evin marked the beginning of his direct involvement in political repression, including issuing death sentences and overseeing religious trials.
In 1988, Ayatollah Khomeini entrusted Nayyari with special authority to resolve judicial matters in various provinces—Lorestan, Kermanshah, and Semnan—allowing him to operate outside the traditional judiciary structure. This rare and direct endorsement highlighted the trust Khomeini placed in Nayyari’s ideological loyalty and legal acumen.
