Abdolrahman Ghasemlou

Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou, a political activist and Secretary-General of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, was assassinated in Austria on 13 July 1989. He also served as a representative for the West Azerbaijan Province in the Assembly of Experts for Constitution.

Ghassemlou was born on 22 December 1930 in Urmia. His father, Mohammad Khan Ghassemlou, was a wealthy landowner in Urmia. He completed his primary and secondary education in Urmia and Tehran and attended the American College in Tehran.

Ghassemlou began his political activities in 1945 by forming the Democratic Youth Union of Kurdistan. In 1948, he went to Paris to continue his studies and, during this time, helped establish the Kurdish Students Association in Europe with several Kurdish students. He went to Prague as the first Iranian scholarship recipient and participated in the activities of the International Union of Students.

In 1952, Ghassemlou returned to Iran after obtaining a bachelor's degree in social and political sciences from Prague University. Following the coup of 19 August 1953, he engaged in clandestine activities and was involved in party activities in Tehran and Kurdistan. During this period, he was the editor of the newspaper "Kurdistan."

In 1962, Ghassemlou earned a doctorate in economic sciences from Prague University and taught there until 1970. He authored several books and pamphlets on economic, social, and political issues, the most famous being "The Kurds and Kurdistan."

At the third party congress in June 1971, Ghassemlou was elected to the Central Committee and then became the Secretary-General of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan in 1973. During his tenure, significant events such as the 1979 revolution and negotiations with the interim government took place.

In the spring of 1980, a group of Democratic Party leaders split and formed a new party. In a letter dated 27 October 1981, Ghassemlou expressed his agreement for the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan to join the National Council of Resistance.

Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou was assassinated on 13 July 1989 in Austria. According to various sources, he was killed while sitting in peace negotiations with representatives of the Islamic Republic government in Vienna. Some sources claim that the assassins entered Austria under diplomatic cover and left the country after the assassination. The Austrian government at the time remained silent on the matter due to threats.