Sobh-e Emroz

Sobh-e Emroz (صبح امروز, 'This Morning') was founded by Saeed Hajjarian, Khatami's chief political strategist and a former deputy Minister of Intelligence. It was the investigative flagship of the reformist press, publishing Akbar Ganji and Emadeddin Baghi's landmark series on the chain murders of 1998 using code names ('Excellency Red Garmented' for Rafsanjani, 'Master Key' for Ali Fallahian). This reporting forced the government to admit Ministry of Intelligence 'rogue elements' were responsible. On 12 March 2000, Hajjarian was shot in the face outside Tehran City Council by a Basij gunman, leaving him permanently disabled. Sobh-e Emroz was among the 16 papers closed in the 24 April 2000 crackdown.