Mohammad Khatami

POSITION IN 1988: Minister of Islamic Guidance, Director of Cultural Affairs at the General Command of the Armed Forces

CHARGES RELATED TO THE MASSACRE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN IRAN IN 1988:
1. Khatami participated in the session in which Khomeini, for the first time, discussed plans for the execution of all political prisoners.

2. In governmental meetings, Khatami consistently opposed those worried about the social and international backlash of the massacre and strongly defended Khomeini’s edict. As Minister of Guidance, he was responsible for suppressing any news of the massacre or criticism of it by various circles. As Ressalat and Iran News, state-run dailies, reported: “This edict was issued and enforced when Mr. Khatami was Director of Cultural Affairs at the Armed Forces General Command and he resolutely defended Khomeini decision.”