Judiciary of Iran

The Judiciary of Iran (Qovveh-ye Qaza'iyeh) is the judicial branch of the Islamic Republic, headed by a Chief Justice appointed directly by the Office of the Supreme Leader for five-year terms. The Chief Justice also nominates the six jurist members of the Guardian Council. The Judiciary has been a primary instrument of political repression, overseeing prosecutions of reformists, journalists, and human rights defenders. Chief Justices since 1989 include Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (briefly), Mohammad Yazdi (1989–1999), Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi (1999–2009), Sadegh Amoli Larijani (2009–2019), Ebrahim Raisi (2019–2021), and Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei (2021–present).