Government Complaint Against Javadi Karimi Qodosi for 'Baseless and Unsubstantiated Accusations'

An informed source in the presidential office denied the statements made by Javadi Karimi Qodosi regarding the 'support' of several members of this institution for the Telegram channel of the 'Amadnews' website, stating that these remarks will be subject to 'legal action.' IRNA reported on Wednesday (May 2) quoting this unnamed source that the presidential office considers Karimi Qodosi's recent statements to be 'false, baseless, and unsubstantiated accusations.' This source also mentioned that these statements constitute 'spreading falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion and insult and defame,' and the presidential office sees pursuing legal action on this matter as its 'religious and legal right' to 'restore its reputation.' The source added that 'the actions contrary to the dignity of this member of parliament have been reported to the Supervisory Board on the Conduct of Representatives so that the relevant authority can take appropriate decisions.' Javadi Karimi Qodosi claimed that the Ministry of Intelligence of Hassan Rouhani's government is in contact with the 'Amadnews' Telegram channel, and several individuals have been arrested in this regard. This member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the parliament discussed the details of the mass arrest of Telegram managers by the judiciary in an interview with 'Student News Agency' on May 1. Karimi Qodosi stated that 'the arrested individuals were operating in connection with the anti-revolutionary Amadnews channel with the cooperation of the Minister of Intelligence and Communications.' He claimed that one person in the presidential office and another in the office of Hesameddin Ashna, an advisor to Hassan Rouhani, have been arrested on charges of connection with the 'Amadnews' channel. Karimi Qodosi also mentioned that a member of the office of Morteza Bank, the deputy head of the presidential office, has also been arrested in this context. According to this parliament member's claims, one person in the judiciary and another in the Ministry of Intelligence were also in contact with the 'Amadnews' channel, all of whom have been arrested. Karimi Qodosi labeled the accusations against all these individuals as 'supporting' the 'Amadnews' channel. He alleged that these activities were conducted 'with the support of the Minister of Intelligence and meetings held with these individuals.' This member of the National Security Commission added that 'if the government has expanded its presence in cyberspace, it has done so for sinister political goals and to promote social and cultural insecurity.' He stated, 'Unfortunately, the government team generally uses cyberspace to advance its sinister political goals and even some anti-revolutionary movements.' As this parliament member added, 'some administrators of Telegram channels who were recently arrested stated in their interrogations that they were secretly chatting with some government members and they were providing us with financial assistance.' However, Mr. Karimi Qodosi has not provided any evidence to support his claims. This representative, close to the Stability Front, has consistently directed sharp criticisms at Hassan Rouhani's government and its policies. Previously, the Iranian Foreign Ministry described his statements that Mohammad Javad Zarif, the foreign minister, is trying to contact the Trump administration as 'reckless and unjust,' adding that his remarks 'are not even worth denial.' Complaints against this representative have previously been sent to the Supervisory Board of Representatives, and he has been found guilty by this board. The arrest of several managers of Telegram channels supporting Hassan Rouhani and close to reformists in recent months has turned into a conflict between the officials of the judiciary and the executive branches against each other. Officials and security and intelligence agencies under the government have stated that there are no charges against these arrested managers, but judiciary officials have emphasized the 'criminal' status of these individuals and even discussed the role of the Minister of Intelligence in cooperating with them.