Issuance of Indictments for 25 Special Cases of Economic Corruption

One day after the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic's decree to establish a special court for the trial of 'economic corruptors', Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the spokesman for the judiciary, announced on Sunday, August 21, that indictments had been issued for '25 cases' related to these individuals. According to the official Iranian news agency, IRNA, Mr. Mohseni Ejei did not mention the identities of these individuals or the details of the 'special economic' cases. The spokesman stated that the 'just' expectation of the people was for the judiciary to 'examine these cases quickly and outside of cumbersome laws'. He said, 'We must conclude the cases as soon as possible, and we were compelled to seek a decree from the Supreme Leader due to some legal limitations.' This judicial official's reference is to Ayatollah Khamenei's special decree. On Saturday, the Supreme Leader agreed to the proposal of the head of the judiciary to form a special court with three judges from the Revolutionary Court to handle the cases of 'economic corruptors' and announced that the verdict of this court would be 'definitive and enforceable', including execution. Mr. Mohseni Ejei further reported the arrest of '67 offenders' and the travel ban on 100 offenders, stating that indictments had been issued for 25 cases among them. Iran's economy has faced severe turmoil and tensions in recent months, especially after Donald Trump's final decision to withdraw from the JCPOA. The rial has significantly lost its value against the dollar, the prices of gold coins and other goods have risen, and a wave of protests has erupted in several cities in Iran. Meanwhile, close associates of the Supreme Leader attribute the country's economic problems not to U.S. sanctions but to the 'weak' performance of the government and the 'exploitation by greedy individuals'. The judiciary spokesman on Sunday accused these 'greedy individuals' of pouring water into the enemy's mill while stating that the U.S. is exerting 'economic pressure' on the people. He said, 'Some greedy individuals are also hoarding and smuggling, pouring water into the enemy's damage and causing hardship for the people.' He also promised that 'names and videos' of the trial of 'recent disruptors' in the economic system would be published. Earlier on Sunday, the Tasnim news agency reported the arrest of 'several smugglers and economic disruptors' according to the deputy commander of the Iranian police. Iskandar Momeni stated that 'dealing with major smugglers was on the agenda, and several smugglers, gangs, and individuals disrupting the economic system were arrested, and those who played a significant role in this disruption were handed over to the judiciary.' This police official also did not provide details about the identities and charges of these individuals. Last week, the Tehran prosecutor warned importing companies that if they sell their goods at free market rates despite receiving 4200 tomans per dollar from the government, they would face prison sentences of five to twenty years or even execution. Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi stated on Wednesday, August 8, that so far, 53 individuals related to currency and mobile phone import cases and 12 individuals in the vehicle import case have been arrested, and 106 of the accused have also been banned from leaving the country.