After 10 years as head of one of the most important, and repressive, institutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani will step down as chief of the judiciary and be replaced by Ebrahim Raisi. Larijani will join other recent government semi-retirees as a member of the Expediency Council, an institution designed to resolve differences between the parliament and the Guardian Council. Raisi will take the helm at a time when his history, concurrent posts and support from Reformists are in question.
Judiciary spokesman Gholam Hussein Mohseni Ejei confirmed Raisi’s appointment March 3 during a press conference. This confirmation that Raisi had been appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was followed by comments from Yayha Kamalipour, a member of parliament’s judiciary commission, who said Raisi will take over March 8.