New York – After more than 25 years of anonymity, the Iranian photographer whose iconic, chilling picture of an execution won the Pulitzer Prize will formally be recognized as the winner of the prestigious journalism award.
Jahangir Razmi, whose identity was initially kept secret for his safety but revealed last weekend by The Wall Street Journal, will be given $10,000 and invited to New York for an award ceremony, the Pulitzer Prize Board announced Thursday.
“We understand that Mr. Razmi, who is the best judge of his circumstances, is eager to receive the award,” said Sig Gissler, administrator of the Pulitzers.
The photo, showing 11 blindfolded men executed by a firing squad in 1979 after Islamic radicals overthrew the shah of Iran, was published by the Iranian newspaper Ettela’at. Razmi’s editor chose not to credit the photo out of concern for the photographer’s safety. It was later distributed by United Press International.
It won the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography – the only time in Pulitzer history that the board has given an anonymous award.
Razmi’s photo has long been used by critics of Iran’s Islamic government as a symbol of the regime’s brutality.
With his cooperation, the Journal on Saturday published an article revealing his identity.
“We found the story to be impressive, the evidence in it seemed clear and convincing, and then, as a matter of due diligence, we double-checked certain sources and examined other evidence,” Gissler said.
The board will adjust its records and invite Razmi to get his award on May 21, the day the 2007 Pulitzer winners will be honored at Columbia University.
