Iranian Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi has announced the arrest of 20 middle managers of the former administration in connection with a financial fraud case. Alavi reports that the scheme took place from 2010 to 2013 during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s second term as president.
He told IRNA that the Ministry of Intelligence began discovering the financial fraud and identifying the people linked to it last February.
He added that 20 people have been arrested in the matter; “however, currently three people remain in custody, while 30 others have been summoned for questioning.”
The Rohani administration has on several occasions accused the former administration of corruption and financial fraud.
The most important corruption cases are linked to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s vice president, Mohammadreza Rahimi, who has been sentenced to jail and fines in connection with Iran Insurance.
The most scandalous case has been that of Babak Zanjani, who is said to owe trillions of dollars to the Ministry of Oil.
The intelligence minister’s statements come as President Rohani, as the head of government, convened a conference to fight against corruption, with the Supreme Leader criticizing the government’s failure to take effective steps in this regard, and Rohani pointing a finger at the concentration of power, including arms, money and media, as a cause of corruption.