Iran chief justice prays over slain scientist body

The chief of Iran's judiciary paid tribute on Saturday to the late Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a top scientist who was killed in Tehran the previous day, according to the official website of the judiciary.

In footage released by the judiciary's official news agency, Ebrahim Raisi could be seen praying over an open casket containing the body of Fakhrizadeh, in presence of his family.

Afterwards, the body was taken by plane to the holy city of Mashhad, some 1,000 kilometres east of the capital Tehran, for further rituals, state TV reported.

Also on Saturday, Iran's supreme leader demanded the “definitive punishment” of those behind the killing of Fakhrizadeh, who led Tehran's disbanded military nuclear programme.

The Islamic Republic has blamed Israel for the slaying. Israel has yet to comment.

Although no public funeral is planned due to coronavirus restrictions, Fakhrizadeh is set to be buried on Monday.

Fakhrizadeh was also a deputy of Iran's defence minister and his funeral will be attended by some of the country's military and defence officials, the ministry announced.