Victims of 'Abusive' Quran Reciter Insist on Investigation of the Case

The newspaper Shargh reported on 'the letter from the plaintiffs against Saeed Toosi to the head of the judiciary' and wrote: 'News related to Saeed Toosi, the famous Quran reciter, has impacted social media over the past week. Rumors and unverified documents that have circulated about him seem to have taken a more serious form and have now moved beyond social media rumors, with official news gradually being published regarding this matter.' Previously, unofficial media and social networks had reported on complaints from the families of children and teenagers against Quran reciter Saeed Toosi for the alleged sexual abuse of these children and teenagers. However, the famous reciter, favored by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, rejected the allegations in a statement and claimed that the purpose of spreading this news was to tarnish Ayatollah Khamenei's reputation. Masoud Kazemi, a reporter for Shargh, wrote in the Saturday edition of the newspaper: 'Perhaps the last and most important event in this area is a letter that is apparently being drafted by the families of the plaintiffs. Yesterday evening, the IQNA news agency, the international Quran news agency, reported that according to an informed source, the plaintiffs in the Saeed Toosi case are preparing a letter to the head of the judiciary, in which they demand the investigation of the case while declaring their innocence from hostile media.' Shargh emphasized 'the indictment from a group of plaintiffs against Saeed Toosi in the judiciary' and noted that 'a group of Quranic veterans and activists, including Abbas Salimi and Mohsen Mousavi Baladeh,' have also 'called for legal follow-up on the issue while maintaining logic and calm in the Quranic community.' According to the newspaper, Mohammad Reza Hashmati, the Deputy for Quran and Ahl al-Bayt at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, in a note published on the 'Tabnak' site, 'has somewhat moved beyond the rumor and considers the matter to be news that must be addressed in the case, while also deeming the publication of news related to Saeed Toosi as promoting immorality.' The Deputy for Quran and Ahl al-Bayt at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has requested the plaintiffs in the case to 'exercise patience and composure until they reach a conclusion.' Shargh emphasized that 'this part of his note can be interpreted as confirming the existence of a judicial case,' quoting Mohammad Reza Hashmati: 'Unfortunately, an unfortunate news was published in social media that affected religious individuals, especially the Quranic community. Regardless of the nature of the issue and whether a crime occurred or not, which is entirely related to the judiciary, its publication is an example of promoting immorality.' He further stated, 'While condemning the publication of people's secrets, I request the esteemed head of the judiciary to prioritize the investigation of this case and issue and enforce a ruling based on Quranic instructions in case of any violation by anyone, especially those expected to have been raised in a Quranic manner.' He also urged the respected plaintiffs to 'strive with patience and composure in seeking justice.' The newspaper also reported that Saeed Toosi on Thursday first described the sexual assault allegations against children and teenagers as 'entirely false' in a letter and in a second letter announced his efforts to pursue legal action against those who published this news in Iran, claiming that the allegations against him were an attempt by a 'vengeful enemy' to tarnish the Supreme Leader's reputation, stating: 'The vengeful enemy, having become frustrated with his strength and authority, has used me as a means to insult him, which will undoubtedly leave no trace on his radiant reputation, and the enemy will gain no benefit from this delusion.'