Iran appoints new attorney general

The Iranian judiciary chief has appointed the head of Iran’s Court of Administrative Justice as the country’s new attorney general.

Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani issued a directive on Sunday, assigning Mohammad Jafar Montazeri to the position.

The directive read, “It is hoped that, taking the importance of the practice of judgment and its heavy concomitant responsibilities into consideration, [Mr. Montazeri] follow the model of enforcing Islamic justice, attending to the underprivileged and downtrodden, and protecting the people’s legitimate rights.”

Montazeri replaces Ebrahim Raeesi, the current chief custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, the organization holding trusteeship of the affairs of the holy shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam.

Raeesi was appointed to the position following the passing last month of Ayatollah Abbas Va’ez Tabasi, the foundation’s former chief custodian.