Iran To Kick Off Trial Over Killing Of Ex-IRGC Quds Force Commander

Qasem Soleimani in Syria during the civil war. Undated
Qasem Soleimani in Syria during the civil war. Undated

The Iranian judiciary says a court hearing over the killing of the former IRGC Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani killed in a US air strike will begin soon.

Kazem Gharibabadi, the deputy of Iran's Judiciary for International Affairs, said three judges are appointed for the hearings and the process will get underway shortly.

On January 3, 2020, the US military, on the orders of President Donald Trump, killed Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad International Airport, saying that he had been "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."

The so-called trial in Iran is a symbolic political gesture.

Soleimani, who was Iran’s top military and intelligence operator outside its borders, was in charge of supporting and organizing militant proxy forces, including the Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militia groups that have repeatedly attacked US forces.

Last month, Tehran issued arrest warrants for former US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and 71 others for Soleimani's assassination.

Iran had also asked Interpol to issue a Red Notice for 36 individuals, but the request was denied, explaining it was not in accordance with its rules and constitution. “It is strictly forbidden for the organization to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.”

The hardliner President Ebrahim Raisi also vowed revenge in January for Soleimani's killing unless former US President Donald Trump is put on trial.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei also vowed revenge in a speech on January 1, saying, “Trump and others like him will be forgotten and lost in the dustbin of history, of course after paying for their crimes in the world.”