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Masoud Molavi

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Member of Iran's intelligence agencies and dissident (1987–2019)
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Masoud Molavi Vardanjani
Born(1987-04-28)28 April 1987
Iran
Died14 November 2019(2019-11-14) (aged 32)
Turkey
Cause of death
Assassination
CitizenshipIranian
EducationIslamic Azad University
Tehran University

Masoud Molavi Vardanjani (Persian: مسعود مولوی وردنجانی; 28 April 1987 – 14 November 2019) was a cyber security specialist and Iranian dissident who leaked information about the Islamic Republic.[1] Vardanjani was assassinated in Istanbul, Turkey, in what was widely alleged to be an operation carried out by Iranian intelligence.

Vardanjani was reportedly involved in Iran's cyber defense program, working with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Ministry of Defense, before later becoming a critic of the government. He operated a Telegram channel called "Black Box", which claimed to publish documents exposing corruption within the Office of the Supreme Leader, the Iranian judicial system, and the Iranian armed forces.[2]

Reuters had reported that Iranian diplomatic officers of the Iranian consulate in Turkey helped assassinate him.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

Academic life

He had a Bachelor of Science in construction engineering from Islamic Azad University Najaf Abad Branch and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics from Tehran University.[citation needed]

Accusations of fraud

Mohammad Jorjandi, has published multiple evidence regarding details of Molavi's fraud, forgery, and malicious activities, on his Telegram Channel and website called "Webamooz"; which conducts investigative journalism on fraud & cybercriminals.[9][10]

Flee to Turkey

In 2018, Vardanjani fled from Iran to Turkey because he was being investigated by the Iranian government.[11] He made social media posts critical of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Ministry of Defense.[11] His Telegram channel "Black Box" exposed corruption among Iranian officials.[12]

Assassination

According to Iran Wire citing TRT journalist, Azari Jahromi, Iranian telecommunications minister had threatened him before he was killed.[13]

On November 14, 2019, Vardanjani was assassinated in Istanbul, Turkey by gunshot while walking down a street.[14] Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo referred to it as another example of Iran assassinating dissidents.[14]

In 2020, an Iranian embassy in Ankara staff member was arrested in this assassination case.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Mas'ud Molavi Vardanjani: One Person's Story". Abdorrahman Boroumand Center. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  2. ^ "Masoud Molavi Vardanjani". journalismisnotacrime.com. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  3. ^ "Iran assassination in Istanbul latest regime murder abroad, say experts". Al Arabiya English. 2020-04-01. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  4. ^ "Exclusive: Iranian diplomats instigated killing of dissident in Istanbul, Turkish officials say". Reuters. 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  5. ^ Tolliver, Sandy (2020-04-16). "Iran's 'Khashoggi': Where's the outrage over the death of Masoud Molavi Vardanjani?". The Hill. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  6. ^ "The story of Iran, a murdered hacker and me". The Independent. 2020-08-02. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  7. ^ "Pompeo Says Iran's Diplomats Agents Of Terror, Responsible For 'Multiple' Killings". RFE/RL. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  8. ^ "رویترز: دستور قتل مسعود مولوی در ترکیه را دو مامور اطلاعاتی ایران صادر کردند". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  9. ^ "وب آموز". Telegram. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  10. ^ "وب آموز - محققان مستقل جرایم و کلاهبرداری های رایانه ای" (in Persian). Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  11. ^ a b "Iranian diplomat nabbed over dissident murder plot in Turkey". Daily Sabah. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  12. ^ "Istanbul shooting victim now thought to be Iranian dissident". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  13. ^ "نام آذری‌ جهرمی در پرونده ترور مسعود مولوی". IranWire | خانه (in Persian). Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  14. ^ a b "Exclusive: Iranian diplomats instigated killing of dissident in Istanbul, Turkish officials say". March 27, 2020.
  15. ^ "آناتولی فیلم بازداشت 'کارمند سرکنسولگری ایران' در استانبول را منتشر کرد". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). Retrieved 2021-02-22.


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