London- Iranian cleric and judge and current Attorney General of Iran Mohammad Jafar Montazeri refused to confirm or deny media reports on the arrest of Iranian President Rouhani’s brother Hossein Feridon.
Iran-based Tasnim News Agency revealed that Attorney General Montazeri rejected making any statements on whether Rouhani’s brother was taken for accusations of corruption and managerial misconduct.
The agency did not circulate any details on Feridon’s arrest, nor did it name what led to or who took care of the incarceration.
On the other hand, well-informed sources at the Iranian presidential office denied all information published by IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) media on the subject of Feridon’s arrest.
Iranian news agency ISNA also refuted rumors on the alleged arrest.
It is noteworthy that Feridon represented Rouhani at the nuclear negotiations.
Moreover, sources exposed disputes running between Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Rouhani early May. The disputes sparked of by the Rouhani administration crossing Supreme Leader-set boundaries.
Eventually, the conflict resulted in Feridon and the Chief of Staff of the President of Iran, Mohammad Nahavandian, being banned from attending cabinet sessions.
Iran-based opposition website Saham News reported that keeping Feridon and Nahavandian away was ordered directly by Khamenei.
Khamenei placed Rouhani before two choices; either Nahavandian and Feridon attend cabinet meetings or Rouhani maintains « good relations » with Iranian religious supremacy.
Sources point out that Khamenei ignored Rouhani’s attempts on reconciliation.
Moreover, the Iranian Supreme Leader condemned Mohammad Reza Noboukt, Nahavandian and Feridon – based on Intelligence and IRGC reports – for being involved in both corruption and hierarchy trespass.
Two weeks ago, an Iranian Hezbollah-inspired website, Ammariyon, questioned Feridon’s absence. The website assumed Rouhani’s brother being involved in a massive economic network for corruption which could have caused his disappearance.
Iranian officials over the past few months criticized leaks on disputes among Iranian authority which are being broadcasted by media. Rouhani specifically criticized IRGC media circulated rumors earlier this month.
Last February, conservative cabinet member Alireza Zakani directed harsh criticisms towards Rouhani, claiming to possess documented evidence on an economic mafia encompassing multiple Iranian ministries. Among the compromised ministries were the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Petroleum.
Zakani further accused petroleum minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh of signing illegal oil deals. Zakani also estimated the losses to be somewhere around 50 billion dollars post Zangeneh legal violations.
Moreover, Zakani highlighted an intricate network of brokers at the Rouhani administration operating the economic mafia. The network includes Zangeneh, Feridon and former Iran representative at the U.N. Sirus Naseri.
Zakani also revealed his intentions on presenting documents to the Iran Ministry of Intelligence, corroborating his allegations.
Pro-government Iranian media attacked Zakani, considering his accusations wild and instigating controversy for electoral profit.
However, Zakani’s accusations were made at a time during which each of Feridon and Nahavandian were facing cabinet claims of running an economic mob in Iran.
Cabinet members stated that they will be presenting proof of stated claims to the Ministry of Intelligence. The evidence is said to verify the accusations of the Rouhani administration members exploiting the nuclear deal in order to strike illegal business accords.