Protest Gathering in Front of 'Taravat Novin' Company; 30 Trillion Tomans Embezzlement from 38,000 Victims

Hundreds of victims of the 'Taravat Novin Automotive Cooperative' demonstrated in front of the Qazvin Mosque, chanting 'Death to the incompetent officials.' According to Iranian media reports, this car pre-sale company in Takestan, Qazvin province, has attracted billions of tomans in investment from fifty thousand citizens and currently owes 38 thousand people, being accused of committing a 30 trillion toman embezzlement. Judicial authorities have announced that Mohammad Reza Ghafari, the owner and manager of 'Taravat Novin Automotive,' along with several other defendants in this embezzlement case, were arrested this summer. Previously, Mohammad Reza Ghafari stated in an interview with Khabar Online that the establishment of the 'Taravat Novin' factory, belonging to 'Taravat Novin Automotive,' was a 'response' to Ali Khamenei's declaration of 1399 as the year of 'Production Leap.' The Qazvin Revolutionary Guards confirmed in Esfand 1400 the involvement of three of its forces, including two retired members, with 'Taravat Automotive.' The Qazvin automotive companies working group announced on 10 Shahrivar that they have confiscated the assets of Mohammad Reza Ghafari, his wife, and their associates. The announcement mentioned the confiscation of 165 registered license plates and 88 vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks. The 'Tejarat News' website referred to this case of 'fraud' as 'one of the largest judicial cases in recent days.' The victims of this company have repeatedly gathered, demanding the return of their investments. In a demonstration in front of the office of the head of the judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i, they criticized the judiciary's inaction in this case, chanting 'We don't want to look behind glass.' This gathering was attacked by government agents. Despite the claims of Iranian officials about fighting financial corruption, news related to cases of multi-billion tomans embezzlement, especially in governmental and banking institutions, has been reported in recent years. In the latest example of such cases, the Tehran Revolutionary Prosecutor announced in Shahrivar this year the occurrence of an embezzlement of about three thousand billion tomans in a state bank in Tehran. Ali Salehi, without naming the bank, stated that the manager of a state bank's fund department was arrested before leaving the country. The frequency of embezzlements by government officials and their associates, along with the Iranian government's inability to address them, forms part of the slogans of economic protesters, including teachers and workers. Judicial authorities usually refrain from informing about the fate of defendants in embezzlement cases.