German journalists attacked at Iranian president’s funeral

Mourners at Ebrahim Raisi’s funeral procession in Tehran attacked a German television news team on Wednesday.

The German ARD news team came under fire when it filmed buses carrying pro-government attendees to the capital. According to a foreign reporter covering the funeral, there was no obvious provocation that would justify the attack by Raisi’s mourners.

“It remains unclear what narrative might have triggered such anger among those present,” the reporter explained, emphasizing the arbitrary nature of the aggression.

Iranian security forces only intervened to verify the legitimacy of the journalists, rather than addressing the hostilities they faced. This action raises serious concerns about the freedom and security of the press in Iran and shows the government’s tacit approval of such attacks.

Some government allies circulated videos of chants against the reporters outside the Espinas Hotel where they were staying. The videos portrayed the German journalists as “deceptive” in their reporting intentions and attempted to discredit their professional integrity.

According to government supporters, the journalists wanted to falsely portray a low turnout at the funeral, an accusation that underscores the regime’s sensitivity to international perceptions.

Although the German Chancellor expressed her condolences to Iran over the death of the notorious president, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed her solidarity with the Iranian people and particularly supported women in Iran, who continue to face systematic oppression under the current regime.