Mohsen Karimi

Mohsen Karimi is the internationally designated commander of the Ruhollah Corps of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran’s Markazi province. He is accused of overseeing serious human rights violations by soldiers under his command.“CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK,” HM Treasury, last updated April 24, 2023, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1152335/Iran__Human_Rights_.pdf. He holds the rank of brigadier general.Official Journal of the European Union, “COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2022/2433 of 12 December 2022 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran,” EUR-Lex, December 12, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D2433&from=EN.

The United Kingdom accuses Karimi of complicity in the violation of the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. He is also accused of violating Iranians’ rights against torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. Through his role in the IRGC, Karimi has been responsible for the arbitrary arrest and detention of individuals in Iran.“CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK,” HM Treasury, last updated April 24, 2023, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1152335/Iran__Human_Rights_.pdf. Karimi is reportedly responsible for the violent repression of protests. Under his command, 19-year-old protester Mehrshad Shahidi was reportedly beaten to death in an IRGC detention center after his October 25, 2022, arrest in Arak, Iran. Iranian officials reportedly pressured Shahidi’s family to say he died of a heart attack. “UK Slaps Sanctions On IRGC Commanders Over Human Rights Violations,” Iran International, April 24, 2023, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202304247968; “Protests Flare Up At Funeral Of Young Man Killed By Iran’s IRGC,” Iran International, October 29, 2022, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202210294915; Jamie Phillips, “Celebrity chef dubbed the ‘Jamie Oliver of Iran’ is battered to death in police custody days before his 20th birthday - triggering another wave of unrest in the country first sparked by killing of Mahsa Amini,” Daily Mail (London), October 29, 2022, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11369621/Teenage-chef-dubbed-Jamie-Oliver-Iran-beaten-death-triggering-wave-unrest.html. The European Union accuses Karimi of “serious human rights violations in Iran.”Official Journal of the European Union, “COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2022/2433 of 12 December 2022 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran,” EUR-Lex, December 12, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D2433&from=EN.

Extremist entity
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
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Type(s) of Organization:
Military, terrorist, transnational, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Islamist, Khomeinist, Shiite, state actor
Position(s):
Commander of the Ruhollah Corps, Markazi province

The IRGC is an Iranian government agency tasked with defending the regime against internal and external threats. The IRGC uses secret police methods against its opponents within Iran, and terrorist tactics against its enemies abroad.

  • Designations

The European Union

  • December 12, 2022

    The European Union added Mohsen Karimi to its sanctions list on December 12, 2022.Official Journal of the European Union, “COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2022/2433 of 12 December 2022 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran,” EUR-Lex, December 12, 2022, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D2433&from=EN.

United Kingdom

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