Mythim Latifi Remains Deputy of the Government by Circumventing the Law; Minister of Justice Responsible for 'Implementation' of the Administrative Justice Tribunal's Ruling

Despite the Administrative Justice Tribunal reaffirming the annulment of the appointment of the head of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization of the Islamic Republic, the legal deputy of Ebrahim Raisi stated that he participates in 'government sessions.' According to the state news agency 'IRNA,' Mohammad Dehghan said on Wednesday, July 4, that Mythim Latifi has 'not signed any circular or directive' since the new ruling was issued but participates in 'government sessions.' The legal deputy of the President of the Islamic Republic mentioned that the Minister of Justice is responsible for the 'implementation of the Administrative Justice Tribunal's ruling' regarding 'continuation or termination of his cooperation' with the Administrative and Recruitment Organization. Iranian media reported on July 18 that the Administrative Justice Tribunal announced the ruling of its general assembly to 'annul the appointment' of Mythim Latifi, head of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization of the Islamic Republic. According to this ruling, Mythim Latifi's appointment as 'head of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization of the country' by Ebrahim Raisi was deemed illegal due to his membership in 'Imam Sadiq University' as a 'non-governmental and non-profit entity.' Meanwhile, the day before, Ali Bahadori Jahromi, the spokesperson for the Islamic Republic government, after the reaffirmation of the annulment of the appointment by the general assembly of the Administrative Justice Tribunal, stated that since the ruling was based on the objection to 'Mythim Latifi's mission from Imam Sadiq University,' with the 'measures taken,' his mission from the university to the government was 'nullified' and then a 'fixed-term employment contract' was established for his administrative relationship with the government. According to Bahadori Jahromi's claims, considering the 'change of title and nullification of the subject and legal obstacle' in the ruling issued by the Administrative Justice Tribunal, 'it was again decided that Mythim Latifi would perform his duties in the previous position.' Ali Mojtahedzadeh, a lawyer, reacted to this government action in a tweet, stating: 'The government has tried to neutralize the two rulings of the Administrative Justice Tribunal regarding Mythim Latifi's stay in the Pasteur by concluding a fixed-term employment contract. Now he holds the organizational position of 'expert in the coordination office of the President's meetings' in the position of Deputy President. With this action, the government first disrespected the law and then itself.' Earlier, the 'Mizan' news agency, affiliated with the judiciary of the Islamic Republic, had written about the reasons for reviewing this appointment ruling, stating that a complaint was filed to annul the ruling issued by Ebrahim Raisi appointing Mythim Latifi as 'Deputy President and head of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization of the country,' which ultimately led the specialized board of this judicial institution to rule for 'annulment.' Mythim Latifi, head of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization of Ebrahim Raisi's government, like many other members of his cabinet, is a graduate of 'Imam Sadiq University,' an educational institution whose management is determined by Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, and provides ideological training in addition to regular courses for students. Labor activists told 'ILNA' that the government should agree to Latifi's dismissal. Mohseni Ejei ordered a re-examination of the Administrative Justice Tribunal's ruling regarding the 'annulment of the Deputy's appointment.' The Guardian Council's version for the dispute over the 'annulment of the Deputy's appointment' is 'inquiry' from the Parliament. The margins of the annulment of the Deputy's appointment include the government's 'anger' and the 'explanation' and defense of the head of the Administrative Justice Tribunal. The Deputy of Raisi stated that the Administrative Justice Tribunal does not have the authority to annul the appointment of the head of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization.