The 'Coin Sultan' and Two Other Economic Defendants Sentenced to Death

The First Deputy and Spokesman of the Judiciary announced that in the 'Special Courts for Combating Economic Corruption', three individuals were sentenced to death as 'mohareb' (enemies of God) and 32 others received prison sentences of up to 20 years or less. According to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, 'Vahid Mazloomian, Mohammad Esmail Qasemi, and Bagheri Damani' are the three sentenced to death, who are involved in recent economic cases. In Iranian media, Vahid Mazloomian is referred to as the 'Coin Sultan' because, according to Hossein Rahimi, the commander of Tehran's police, he collected about two tons of coins in ten months. Mazloomian, known as the 'Coin Sultan', has been arrested and sentenced to death despite the fact that, according to the regulations of the Central Bank of Iran, there are no restrictions on purchasing coins, and there is no law in the country that declares holding coins a crime. Mr. Ejei stated on Tuesday, October 1, that the sentences of these three individuals must be sent to the Supreme Court for final confirmation. He mentioned that 32 others have been sentenced to prison terms of 20, 12, and 10 years or less. The 'Special Courts for Combating Economic Corruption' were established in August of this year following turmoil in the currency market, at the request of the head of the Judiciary and with the approval of the Supreme Leader. The sentences issued in these courts, aside from the death penalty, are 'final and enforceable', and 'death sentences can be appealed within a maximum of 10 days in the Supreme Court'. These courts expedite the examination of the charges against these defendants, but at the same time, they deprive the defendants of the right to appeal, which contradicts Iranian judicial laws and has faced criticism from legal experts. Many analysts have stated that while 'security measures' may prevent a rise in currency prices in the short term, they will have no long-term effect, just as currency prices continued to rise despite 'security measures in the previous government'. Nevertheless, 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, as they claim, 'the exploitation by opportunistic individuals'. In recent months, reports have also emerged regarding 'violations' in the import of mobile phones, cars, and other goods that have been imported with government currency, and judiciary officials have reported the arrest of hundreds and the trial of dozens in this regard. Meanwhile, Iranian news agencies reported on Sunday that Ahmad Iraqchi, the former currency deputy of the Central Bank of Iran, has been released. The spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary had announced his arrest on Sunday, July 14. In this context, exporters are required to supply currency in the NIMA system, the introduction of a successor to the arrested currency deputy of the Central Bank of Iran, and the Iranian police announced the summons of 850 individuals in connection with 'violations in the coin and currency market'. The Tehran prosecutor confirmed the arrest of the secretary of the Association of Employers of Car Importers. Ejei announced the judicial pursuit of several media outlets; the travel ban on Seif.