On February 17, 2016 the Iranian regime organized a ceremony in Tehran to commemorate the eighth anniversary of Hezbollah’s chief military commander, Imad Mughniyah’s death. Among the speakers and participants of event were the Supreme Leader’s representative, high ranking commanders of Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah commanders and two internationally known convicted terrorists, Anis Nakash and Kazem Darabi who had worked under Mughniyah’s command.

——————————————————————————

On February 17, 2016 the Iranian regime organized a ceremony in Tehran to commemorate the eighth anniversary of Hezbollah’s chief military commander, Imad Mughniyah’s death. Mughnieh who was involved in numerous terrorist attacks across the globe was killed in February 2008 in Damascus, probably by Israelis.

The Iran Supreme Leader’s representative, high ranking commanders of Revolutionary Guards, top governmental officials and Hezbollah commanders participated in the event. General Hossein Salami, the deputy chief commander of Revolutionary Guards was among the key speakers of the event.

General Hossein Salami, deputy chief commander of Revolutionary Guards

Among the participants and speakers were two internationally known convicted terrorists who had previously worked under Mughniyah’s command.

Anis Nakash (first from right) next to Kazem Darabi

Anis Nakash next to General Hossein Salami

Anis Nakash speaking at the event

Anis Nakash, a Lebanese militant who tried to assassinate the exiled Iranian Prime Minister Shapour Bakhtiar in France in July 1980 was one of them. Nakash was arrested during the failed assassination attempt and was sentenced to life in prison. He was later released in 1990 by French authorities who sought the liberation of French hostages held by Hezbollah. In an interview with Iranian governmental press, Nakash admitted that the assassination plan was ordered by Iranian authorities. After being released, Nakash went to Iran and continued to work with Hezbollah under Mughniyah’s command. He has been residing in Iran and Lebanon.

Mohsen Rezai, chief commander of Revolutionary Guards (first from right) next to Anis Nakash – Beirut 1980

Another notable participants in Mughniyah’s ceremony in Tehran was Kazem Darabi, a convicted terrorist who was a member of the team that assassinated Iranian Kurdish leaders in Mikons restaurant in Berlin in September 1992.

Anis Nakash (first from right) next to Kazem Darabi

Darabi and two Lebanese affiliated with Hezbollah were arrested by German police and put on trial. The court ruled that the Iranian authorities had masterminded the operation and Hezbollah carried out the attack. Court determined that Darabi and his Lebanese teammate should serve at least 23 years before being considered for release on parole. But in 2007 the German authorities released Darabi. He returned to Iran and was welcomed by Iranian authorities as a hero.