End of Sit-in by Ahmadinejad's Associates at Abdul Azim Shrine

Hamid Bakai, Ali Akbar Javanfekr, and Habibollah Jozf Khorasani, three officials from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government, announced the end of their sit-in at the Abdul Azim Shrine in Shahr-e Rey on Sunday, November 19. According to the government-affiliated website, they expressed concern over the 'desecration' of the shrine by 'ignorant and abusive elements' who are 'protected from any prosecution.' They decided to temporarily halt their sit-in until 'appropriate conditions' are provided. Previously, the Telegram channel of the government reported that on the fourth night of the sit-in, a number of 'plainclothes forces' attacked these three and their supporters, beating some and stealing their mobile phones. The Telegram channel noted that during these clashes, 'no trace of police forces' that had been present around the shrine in previous days was observed. The three Ahmadinejad officials stated that their sit-in was a response to the closure of all possible avenues for seeking justice and addressing injustice. Hamid Bakai, Ahmadinejad's deputy during his presidency, had announced on November 15 that he, along with Ali Akbar Javanfekr and Habibollah Khorasani, would sit in protest against the judiciary's behavior at the Abdul Azim Shrine. They claimed that the judiciary has 'designed and acted against the previous government and some of the servants of the people and colleagues of the former president.' On the third day of their sit-in, they requested that Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, head of the Expediency Discernment Council, be appointed to address their case. However, they have not received a response to this request. Bakai was arrested in 2015 on financial charges, and it was reported that he was released by the order of the Supreme Leader. He was also arrested in July of this year and released on a bail of 20 billion tomans. Bakai and Ahmadinejad had registered to run for the presidential election in 2017, but the Guardian Council disqualified both of them. Bakai faces charges including 'requesting a total of 300 million tomans in bonuses for 16 members of the government,' 'assistance to the International University of Iranians,' 'assistance to the Iranian House Organization,' 'assistance to the state newspaper Iran,' and 'collusion in contracts and transactions of five companies.' Nevertheless, Bakai has denied these charges, stating that the accusations and evidence against him are 'illegal.' Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, Ahmadinejad's chief of staff, has also been summoned to the prosecutor's office on charges of 'insulting' the leadership, 'illegal appropriation of state property,' 'insulting system officials,' and 'spreading falsehoods.'