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Iran: Corruption Scandal Makes Headlines Again, Khamenei Holds Rouhani’s Administration Accountable | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani (L) speaks with Guardian Council Chief Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati during a conference in Tehran, Aug. 14, 2008. (photo by REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi)


London- Iran’s Attorney-General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri recently exposed details on a judiciary investigation featuring 1,600 top Iranian officials suspected of involvement in rampant corruption scandal.

For his part, Iranian Presidential Chief of Staff Mohammad Nahavandian rejected all criticism directed at Rouhani’s administration against the soundness of the landed ‘landmark’ nuclear deal.

“The nuclear deal, all the way from the negotiations to its approval and implementation was passed by a regime-issued order,” said Nahavandian.

Montazeri said on Friday that the list prepared on corrupt personnel was ordered by senior officials as to clamp down on managerial corruption in the regime. The Rouhani administration wishes to whitewash the smear it has been tainted with before the Iranian public after the scandal on top officials receiving astronomical paychecks up to ten times the minimum wage set for political officials.

The scandal has been headlining news in Iran since last June, after leaked documents on officials and bank directors receiving illegal deposits were made public.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard intelligence, which is a force that directly answers to orders from Iran’s conservative Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, had made a series of arrests against officials recently released from duties at Rouhani’s administration for accusations on corruption.

Rouhani’s administration and the president’s brother Hossein Feridon have been directly affected by the scandal for sharing tight ties with all those arrested by Revolutionary Guard intelligence for corruption.

Montazeri bringing up the topic marks the third time an Iranian official discusses a list including hundreds of suspects among the government’s officials who had received illegal funds.

An investigatory party has been established according to Montazeri to look into the details of allegations and the corruption case file in whole. The team is composed of public prosecution representatives, First Chief of Justice Advisor, Iran’s General Inspection Office and a legal advisor.

Rouhani Administration Spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht had previously mentioned a list of 40 top officials, later on announcing the dismissal of 13.

Rouhani later mid-July while visiting Kermanshah, 525 kilometers from Tehran, revealed a range of 100-400 officials being involved in corruption.

Tension grew across Tehran as the Supreme Leader took harsh and heated stances, criticizing Rouhani’s administration in his attempt to downplay benefits reaped from the nuclear deal. Khamenei accuses the negotiating delegation with involvement in corruption.

Many critics went as far as demanding Rouhani be taken to trial for treason and signing on the nuclear deal.