Ghasem Rezaei, Deputy Commander of the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA), described the killing of state-affiliated eulogist (maddah) Hamidreza Rajabzadeh as an “isolated individual incident,” affirming that the case is “not political or security-related.”
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, August 11, during a visit to Mashhad, Rezaei responded to queries regarding the motive behind Rajabzadeh’s murder: “This incident was an isolated individual event, similar to other occurrences across the country.” He added: “The murder of this individual is neither political nor security-related.”
Rajabzadeh’s burned remains were discovered on the outskirts of Tehran. Police have arrested four men and one woman in connection with the investigation. However, official details regarding his abduction, the motive for his murder, and the identities of the perpetrators have not yet been released.
On Saturday, state media outlets reported that the 30-year-old Mashhad native was abducted while his family was traveling. These reports referenced a video, a blurred fragment of which was published by Tasnim News Agency, showing the eulogist’s severely injured, bloodied, and mutilated body. State outlets and pro-government social media accounts characterized the crime as “exceptionally violent and brutal,” noting that footage of the act was delivered to his family.
