On Sunday, May 19, a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi went missing after experiencing a “hard landing” in East Azerbaijan province. The aircraft, which also carried Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and two senior East Azerbaijan leaders, crashed into hilly terrain, Iranian authorities confirmed. Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by bad weather, heavy rains, and fog, making it difficult for teams to reach the crash site.
“No survivors” were found at the crash site of the helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollhian, Iranian state media said on Monday.
“Upon finding the helicopter, there was no sign of the helicopter passengers being alive as of yet,” state TV said.
European Union assisted in search efforts
In response to the crash, the European Union activated its rapid response mapping service, known as Copernicus, to aid in the search for the helicopter. Copernicus provides mapping products based on satellite imagery, which are crucial in locating the missing aircraft amidst challenging conditions.
Who is Ebrahim Raisi?
Ebrahim Raisi, who became Iran’s president in 2021, is a controversial figure. At 63, he previously oversaw Iran’s judiciary and first ran for president in 2017 against Hassan Rouhani but was unsuccessful. He secured the presidency in 2021 in an election marked by low voter turnout and the disqualification of major conservative and moderate rivals by an oversight body. His victory consolidated power under hardliners loyal to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Raisi’s 85-year-old mentor.
Raisi’s controversial background
Raisi’s tenure has been marked by a hardline stance on various issues. A year after his election, he ordered the enforcement of Iran’s “hijab and chastity law,” which restricts women’s dress and behavior. His rapid rise through the ranks included his appointment as judiciary chief by Khamenei in 2019 and his election as deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for electing the next Supreme Leader.
Why did the US impose sanctions on Raisi?
The United States first sanctioned Raisi in 2019 for his role in overseeing the executions of individuals who were juveniles at the time of their crimes and for the torture and other inhumane treatment of prisoners in Iran, including amputations. These actions stem from the infamous 1988 mass executions, known as the “death commissions,” where political prisoners, militants, and others faced sham retrials and executions following the Iran-Iraq war.
The helicopter incident has once again thrust Raisi into the spotlight, highlighting his controversial past and the ongoing international scrutiny of his administration.
