Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
Mohammed Bijeh is a name that has been etched deeply into the memory of Iran, as he lured, raped, and killed over 16 boys aged 8-15 in the desert south of Tehran. The murders in the Tehran area were recognized as the biggest criminal case in the country’s contemporary history and sparked nationwide outrage. Little is known about Mohammed Bijeh’s life. He was born on February 7, 1975, and grew up in poverty. Mohammed was the eldest of seven children. At the age of 11, Mohammed moved with his family to the capital of Khorasan Province, not far from the border with Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Mohammed allegedly suffered greatly at the hands of his violent mother, who beat him so severely every day that he bled, which triggered a kind of euphoria in him. Mohammed left school early to work in a brick factory in Khorasan, where he met Ali Baghi, a heroin addict whose childhood was marked by sexual abuse by his father and other men. Ali Baghi became Mohammed’s accomplice in his brutal series of murders, which took place between March and September 2004. Mohammed Bijeh and Ali Baghi lured their victims into the desert by pretending to take them hunting for rabbits and foxes. There, they stunned the victims by hitting them with stones or poisoning them. They then sexually abused the children before Mohammed killed them and burned or buried their bodies. Several victims came from poor Afghan refugee families who did not report their children’s disappearance for fear of deportation. The exact number of victims varies; while the BBC reported that he was convicted of murdering 19 to 22 people, locals estimated the number to be much higher. The police only began investigating when several boys disappeared. Mohammed Bijeh was initially arrested in April 2004 and then released due to insufficient evidence against him. It was only after two of his attempted victims escaped and reported him and his accomplice, Ali Baghi, also known as Ali Gholampour, that he was finally arrested. Bijeh was eventually charged in the Tehran Provincial Court. During the two-day trial, which was held in private out of consideration for the victims’ families, Mohammed Bijeh confessed to his crimes and described them in detail. Bijeh was ultimately sentenced to death and 100 lashes for the murders and rape of 16 boys. His accomplice, Ali Baghi, was acquitted of involvement in the murders but sentenced to 15 years in prison and 100 lashes for several kidnappings. The police investigation was heavily criticized for incompetence, and several officers were suspended. On March 16, 2005, the execution took place in Pakdasht, a town near the desert area where the murders took place. In front of a crowd of about 5,000 people, Bijeh’s shirt was removed and he was tied to an iron pole and received 100 lashes. During his flogging, Mohammed collapsed three times but did not utter a sound before the public execution took place. In a dramatic moment, the victim’s 17-year-old brother, Rahmin Younessi, managed to overcome the approximately 100 security forces and stab Mohammed Bijeh. Afterwards, Mulad Kahani, the mother of another victim, placed a blue nylon noose around his neck, and Mohammed Bijeh was lifted about ten meters into the air by a crane. An arm of the crane was then tightened, slowly strangling Mohammed Bijeh. This method of execution using a crane is common in Iran, whereby the victim’s neck is not broken, causing them to suffer a slow and agonizing death. Several spectators applauded and shouted “Marg bar Bijeh” (Death to Bijeh) and “Allahu akbar” (God is great). Bijeh’s brutal acts and subsequent public execution left a deep mark on Iranian society and sparked widespread debate. Many called for stricter checks and improvements in police work, while others emphasized the need for reforms in the justice system to prevent similar cases in the future. The question of whether to continue public executions polarized society, with some viewing them as a deterrent and others as a cruel and unnecessary practice. In addition to information from newspaper reports and television broadcasts, statements from eyewitnesses and victims of serial killers worldwide helped to paint a more complete picture of Bijeh’s criminal behavior and the psychological background of such acts. Experts point out that deep trauma and sociopathic tendencies often play a role, leading to such extreme crimes. Globally, Bijeh is often mentioned in the same breath as other notorious serial killers such as Ted Bundy or Andrei Chikatilo. While Ted Bundy was known in the US for his charming appearance and terrifying deeds, Ukrainian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo shocked the world with his gruesome murders in the 1980s and early 1990s. These cases show that serial killings are a global phenomenon that can occur regardless of culture and geography. The cruel nature of the crimes and the public and brutal punishment made headlines and gave rise to serious reflections on justice and punishment. Despite the decades that have passed since then, the case of Mohammed Bijeh remains a grim reminder of the depths of human behavior and the need for robust and fair justice. The cruel acts and controversial execution sparked a debate that continues to this day. It is to be hoped that lessons will be learned from such tragic events that can spare future generations from similar suffering.
