Thousands on streets for Iranian president’s funeral after crash
President Raisi, Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in north-west Iran on Sunday.
Thousands of mourners, alongside high-profile Iranian officials and dignitaries, lined the streets of Tabriz for the funeral procession. The procession featured a white truck carrying the coffins of the deceased, including Raisi and Abdollahian, while heavily armed guards controlled the crowd.
The Iranian government expressed anger over social media footage showing some Iranians celebrating Raisi’s death and reportedly pressured citizens to attend the funeral by sending out text messages.
A larger funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, now declared a public holiday, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expected to lead the nation in prayer.
President Raisi, 63, was travelling with officials when their helicopter crashed near Jolfa, a city on the Azerbaijani border. Iranian state media released images showing the helicopter taking off moments before the crash.
Raisi, known for his involvement in the mass execution of political prisoners in the 1980s, was a controversial figure. Despite significant public mourning, many opposed him for his past actions.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, in a speech broadcast by Iranian state TV, asserted that any other country would face a “bleak future” under such circumstances but emphasised that Iran would move forward “smoothly” due to the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, despite concerns over Khamenei’s own health at the age of 85.
Iran President Raisi funeral – video
Mourners in Tabriz, Iran surrounded the truck carrying the remains of Iran President Raisi to pay their last respects. Raisi’s funeral will be held on May 23 in Mashhad, Iranian Vice President Mansouri said.