December 3, 2006
Pulitzer Prize photo
In 1979, the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran was overthrown
by Islamic radicals, led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
Later that year, a group of 11 Kurdish men were
lined up and shot to death, accused of various
crimes on Aug. 27, 1979. The next day, another 21
Kurdish rebels and military deserters were
executed..
Their executions at a municipal airport in Sanandaj,
the capital of Kurdistan (Iran), followed a brief
trial during which no evidence was presented.
Iranian photographer Jahangir Razmi, took 70
pictures of this execution in Kurdistan on Aug. 27,
1979.
One picture won the Pulitzer Prize. It was, however,
awarded to an unnamed photographer -- the only
anonymous recipient in the 90-year history of the
award. Mr. Razmi preserved 27 of the photos on a
contact sheet and stowed it away in his home.
A photograph capturing this event was published and
eventually won a Pulitzer Prize, but the
photographer's identity was kept secret to protect
him.
An account Saturday in The Wall Street Journal
reveals the photographer's name -- Jahangir Razmi --
and story.
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Iranian photographer Jahangir Razmi
A government firing squad executes nine Kurdish
rebels and two former police officers of the deposed
Shah of Iran after summary trials, Aug. 27, 1979.
The next day, another 21 Kurdish rebels and military
deserters were executed. |
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