Khalil Maleki

Vida Moezzinia

Son of Hajj Mirza Fath Ali, he was born in Tabriz, 1280. Following his elementary and secondary education, he came to Tehran, and continued his education at the technical school of Germans. He went to Germany with some other students, and studied chemistry there. His opposition to Reza khan caused his allowance being cut off. On his return to Iran, he married Hajj Alinaqi Ganjei's daughter.

Maleki's residence in Europe, his learning of French and German languages, and his study of various books and journals had great effect on his intellect. He made acquaintance with Dr. Taqi Arani and his friends, and found his way to intellectual circles. Their movements were not unnoticed by the police. Fifty-three people including Maleki were arrested. They were known as the Fifty-Three People.

Maleki and his friends were released from prison after September 1941, and joined the Tudeh Party. Though he was one of the leading members of the Party, he held different, and independent views especially regarding the Party's relationship with Soviet Union and its blind obedience. The fall of Azerbaijan in December 1946 was the first serious blow to the Tudeh Party leading to Maleki and his friends' splinter from the party.

On the currant of nationalization oil industry, all nationalist groups including splinter group of Tudeh Party joined the movement. A new party called Iran Labor Party (Hezbe Zahmatkeshane Mellate Iran) was founded by Khalil Maleki and Mozaffar Baqai, by its organ, Shahed, this was the first organization which rivaled with tudeh party. Opposition against Pahlavi court, Tudeh Party, supporting Dr. Mossaddeq and his movement for nationalization of oil industry were among the priorities of the Party. Baqai's new opposition to Dr. Mossaddeq led Maleki to quit him. Since then the labor Party changed into the opponents of Dr. Mossaddeq led by Dr. Baqai. And the Third Force led by Maleki continued his program to support Dr. Mossaddeq's movement.

Subsequent to 1953 coup, and the arrest of Maleki, the open activities of the Third Force came to its end. Maleki had to spend some time in KhorramAbad FalakolAflak prison. When he was released, he published Nabard e Zendegi journal. Under pressure of SAVAK, he had to rename it as Elm va Zendegi. This was a place for the Third Force adherents to disseminate their ideas. In 1960, he founded the socialist society of Irannationalist movement and in June 1963 (khordad 1342) rising, he supported the clergy and their movement. Again he was arrested in 1965, and was imprisoned for three years. Due to his illness and extensive protest of international circles against his detention, he was released in 1966. Following that he published some articles under pseudonyms mehragan and mehr in various papers. Eventually, he died in July 12th 1969 and was buried in Firuzabadi mosque in ShahreRey.

He was punctual and an outspoken critic, and a man of deep political knowledge.
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