A Legacy of State Violence: Inside the Grim Chronicle of Iran's Extrajudicial Killings...

For decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has engaged in a deadly campaign of extrajudicial killings, assassination attempts, and forced disappearances aimed at silencing its critics and quashing dissent. The victims are varied: from Iranian dissidents and exiles living abroad to foreign nationals, journalists, and human rights activists. In one such chilling story, Ahmad Moradi Talebi, an Iranian Air Force pilot who defected to Iraq and opposed the Iran-Iraq War, was assassinated in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1987 while out on an evening stroll with his pregnant wife. His murder, at the hands of alleged Iranian agents, is just one of the 862 extrajudicial executions carried out by Tehran's regime as documented by the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center (ABC) for Human Rights in Iran.

These cases are not isolated incidents but part of a larger, deeply disturbing pattern of state violence that extends far beyond Iran’s borders. As Tehran continues to exert its power over its dissidents, an unsettling reality emerges: the scale, scope, and brazenness of these actions are vast, and the world often turns a blind eye. The case of Ahmad Moradi Talebi is but a glimpse into this grim legacy, where Iran’s enemies — real or perceived — are hunted down, no matter where they reside.

The Shadowy World of State-Sponsored Assassinations

The Iran-based human rights group, the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, has meticulously chronicled the scale of Iran's extrajudicial violence, releasing a landmark report titled "Iran: State Violence Beyond Borders." The findings reveal that 452 out of 862 documented extrajudicial killings occurred outside Iran. These murders span across the Middle East, Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa — far-flung locations where Iranian agents and proxies operate with deadly precision. Among the targets are former military personnel like Talebi, political activists, journalists, and others who have dared to oppose the regime. The report sheds light on Tehran's methodical approach to transnational repression, where those who flee the regime’s reach within Iran become fair game outside its borders.

The assassinations often take place in public spaces, as evidenced by the killing of Talebi, who was shot dead while strolling in the Swiss city of Geneva. Other high-profile cases have included Iranian dissidents living in exile or those engaging in virtual political activism. These include figures like Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian-German opposition figure, and numerous Kurdish activists living in Europe. Many of these individuals are vocal critics of the regime and have been marked for elimination.

Notably, several higher-profile targets — including President-elect Donald Trump, former national security adviser John Bolton, and women’s rights activist Masih Alinejad — have miraculously eluded Tehran’s reach. Alinejad, who has been outspoken about Iran’s mandatory hijab law, was targeted by a failed kidnapping attempt in 2021, underlining the regime's willingness to pursue even the most prominent of its critics across international borders.

The Scope and Arrogance of Iranian State Violence

What is perhaps most striking about Iran's pattern of extrajudicial killings is not only the extensive reach of these operations but the boldness with which they are carried out. Roya Boroumand, the executive director of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, has spent over two decades compiling a comprehensive record of Iranian state-sponsored violence. Reflecting on her findings, Boroumand noted the brazenness of the attacks — assassinations carried out with apparent impunity and arrogance. In many instances, the perpetrators — Iranian agents or proxies — have been able to act without fear of reprisal.

One of the most alarming aspects of these killings is the lack of action by host governments. Despite the international outcry, the countries where these killings and attempted kidnappings take place often fail to arrest the suspects or allow them to leave without consequence. According to Boroumand, this culture of impunity has only been exacerbated by the passive stance of liberal-democratic governments, which have, at times, failed to hold Iran accountable for its actions on foreign soil.

A Legacy of Fear and Silence

For many of the families who have lost loved ones to Iranian violence, the emotional toll is compounded by the difficulties in seeking justice. Many of the murders and kidnappings occur under a veil of secrecy, with the Iranian government often denying any involvement. In some cases, Tehran has employed proxies, such as Hezbollah or even criminal organizations, to carry out its violent orders, making it even harder to hold the regime accountable.

Roya Boroumand’s own personal connection to the tragedy of Iranian state violence is palpable. Her father, Dr. Abdorrahman Boroumand, was one of the victims featured in the ABC report. A prominent lawyer and pro-democracy activist, Dr. Boroumand was assassinated in Paris in 1991 by agents of the Islamic Republic. His death, which occurred in the lobby of his Paris apartment, was a brutal act of political repression. Three months later, another high-profile Iranian dissident, Shapour Bakhtiar, and his assistant were also murdered by Iranian agents. The killings of these figures — and the collateral damage caused by the agents’ reckless actions — left a deep scar on the Boroumand family.

Despite the grief and pain, the Boroumand family has remained steadfast in their mission to expose the truth behind these killings. Roya Boroumand, alongside her sister Ladan, co-founded the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center as a means of preserving the memory of the victims of Iranian violence and holding the regime accountable. Through the center, Boroumand has compiled one of the few comprehensive archives documenting Iran’s human rights abuses. For her, the project is more than just an academic exercise; it is about honoring the lives lost and giving a voice to those silenced by the regime.

The Culture of Impunity: Iran’s Violent Reach

As the scope of Iran’s extrajudicial killings becomes clearer, the international community is left grappling with how to respond. Despite the overwhelming evidence of state-sponsored violence, the Iranian government continues to act with impunity. It is not just a question of Tehran's blatant disregard for international law, but also the complicity of foreign governments that fail to hold Iran accountable. Boroumand’s research underscores the systemic nature of this violence and the regime’s commitment to silencing its critics, no matter where they are.

In recent years, the Iranian government has increasingly resorted to criminal gangs, like the Hells Angels and other European-based organizations, to carry out attacks on its behalf. In one chilling case, Pouria Zeraati, an exiled Iranian journalist, was ambushed and stabbed outside his home in London by a group of Romanian nationals. Although the UK authorities have yet to establish a direct link to Tehran, many believe this attack is part of a broader pattern of Iran using local criminal networks to eliminate its adversaries.

Reports of attacks targeting Jewish and Israeli institutions in Europe have added to the disturbing picture of Iran’s increasing use of minors and local criminals to carry out violent acts on foreign soil. These developments reflect not only the reach of Iran’s operations but also its growing desperation to maintain control over its perceived enemies.

A Global Call for Accountability

As the death toll mounts and the international community struggles to respond, the work of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center becomes ever more critical. Through its exhaustive documentation, the center seeks to ensure that the victims of Iranian state violence are not forgotten. The interactive map created by the center, which tracks the scope of Iran’s extrajudicial killings over the past 45 years, serves as both a memorial and a powerful tool for advocacy.

The words "There once lived a person named..." are etched on the center's website to honor the lives lost to Iran’s violent campaigns. The victims’ stories — once buried in silence and fear — are now being brought to light, forcing the world to confront the full extent of Iran’s transnational repression.

For Roya Boroumand and her family, this work is not just about compiling statistics; it’s about giving a voice to the countless individuals who have been silenced by a regime that operates above the law. By memorializing these victims, the Boroumand Center is not just documenting the past — it is sending a powerful message: the world cannot continue to ignore the violence and impunity of the Iranian government.

As the struggle for justice continues, one thing remains clear: the legacy of state violence under the Islamic Republic of Iran is far from over. The victims’ stories are not just a chapter in history; they are an ongoing call for accountability, a plea for the world to act before more lives are taken.