Esteemed Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei,
After greetings and respects,
As you are aware, the most significant news of the past month was the release of Ayatollah Montazeri’s audio file from Mordad 1367 [August 1988], which has been widely reflected on both domestic and international networks and websites.
Following this event, you gave several speeches and held meetings, the details of which were broadcasted by the national broadcaster. It was expected that you would address, clearly and in detail, a subject extensively discussed by both domestic and international media, particularly virtual media, and elucidate the dimensions of this event with precise and eloquent explanations for the honorable Iranian nation and for the inquisitive minds worldwide.
It seems that many dark aspects exist in this important incident, and now, after nearly three decades, we must bring public opinion to understanding them.
Immediately countering any questions about that event by mentioning the crimes of the People’s Mojahedin Organization and multiplying the number of cowardly assassinations they committed, retelling some of the bitter memories we’ve heard about those assassinations, though previously effective, has lost its effectiveness following the release of Ayatollah Montazeri’s audio file. This approach will no longer suffice because today’s inquisitive young minds see these explanations as insufficient and will not cease their search until the essence and truth of the matter are uncovered.
The execution of a large number of political prisoners who were serving their sentences—some whose guilt was limited to support and affinity for the organization and possession of the organization’s newspapers, without being tainted with any bloodshed, some of whom were very young teenagers, and according to Ayatollah Montazeri, one or several pregnant women among them—is not a subject we can justify with passionate and fervent speeches against the Hypocrites and global arrogance, leaving our youth’s minds waiting behind the gates of questioning.
Ayatollah Montazeri, who at the time was the Deputy Leader and strongly opposed these executions, viewed the number of executed in that event as between three to four thousand people, while today, unofficial estimates place that number at up to thirty-three thousand.
The following statements are attributed to Engineer Mir-Hossein Mousavi on this matter:
“The truth is that neither I nor any of the leaders at the time were aware of this affair. In a meeting I had with the heads of the three branches at that time, there was no one who supported this act. I remember even Mr. Khamenei stated in that meeting that these executions are like tar pouring over the system, blackening everything. This was his stance. Now it’s true that he opposes me and we are in contrasting positions, but that doesn’t mean I should lie and distort historical truth for personal benefit to vilify my opponent. The reality is that he also opposed it; if it weren’t for that meeting, perhaps the scope of the event would have been even more terrifying.”
Mr. Mousavi concludes:
“In this affair, we were kept completely uninformed. Nevertheless, this crime occurred and the reality is that no one yet knows its true extent, and perhaps in the future, we can address this incident and its dimensions more comprehensively and extensively.”
From Ayatollah Montazeri’s audio, it appears that Messrs. Ebrahim Raisi, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Hosseinali Nayyeri, and Morteza Eshraghi were appointed by the Imam for this mission.
The Imam’s decree was as follows:
“Those who persist in their stance of hypocrisy in prisons across the country are considered combatants and sentenced to execution.”
It is said that the bodies of the slain were buried in mass graves in the Khavaran area of Tehran and other regions in the country, and no bodies were delivered to families, who were prohibited from conducting mourning ceremonies and were threatened in this respect.
With this introduction, I respectfully request permission for impartial investigative committees to be formed by the Majlis and the judiciary to review the dimensions of that incident, and on the other hand, due to the immense importance of the subject, to request that a seasoned fact-finding delegation from the United Nations enter the country so that global public opinion, and especially historians, can access the necessary and documented information regarding this matter.
Your devoted servant,
Mohammad Mahdavifar
Deminer and Diver of the Sacred Defense
7th of Shahrivar 1395 [August 28, 2016]