Babak Zanjani's Lawyer: My Client Emphasized to Return the Funds

Babak Zanjani's lawyer states that after his client became aware of his death sentence, he "strongly advised that the issue of the blocked funds be pursued so that we can pay off the debts as soon as possible." Rasul Kouhpayezadeh, on Friday, March 11, in an interview with the Fars news agency, also mentioned that even "if the debts are paid... this ruling cannot be changed by the lower court." Zanjani's lawyer emphasized that if there is to be a change in the ruling, it must occur through the Supreme Court. Babak Zanjani, a billionaire who helped the Islamic Republic circumvent international sanctions against Iran, has recently been sentenced to death for "corruption on earth." Iranian judicial and government officials say that Mr. Zanjani has not returned billions of dollars from oil sales to the treasury. However, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Iran's Minister of Justice, stated that if Babak Zanjani "cooperates" and returns the funds, it would be "influential in his ruling." In response to this matter, Mr. Zanjani's lawyer said: "After my client became aware of the issued ruling, he increasingly advised that the issue of the blocked funds be pursued so that we can pay off the debts as soon as possible." Mr. Kouhpayezadeh added: "Officials say in various ways that if the money is paid, it will definitely be effective in changing the ruling. The legislator has also predicted that if the debts are paid, we can witness a change in the ruling. Furthermore, if Zanjani manages to free the blocked funds, the moral element of the crime will be removed." Babak Zanjani and his defense lawyers say he wants to pay the money, but international sanctions against Iran have caused billions of dollars from oil sales to be blocked in foreign banks, and Mr. Zanjani has not yet been able to free and transfer them to Iran.