Khamenei’s Order for Swift Trial of School Vice Principal Accused of Sexual Harassment; Continued Silence on Saeed Toosi Case
Iran’s Supreme Leader issued an order Tuesday night through state media directing the head of the Judiciary to execute “divine punishments in the shortest time possible” following trial for those accused. His reaction came in response to news about a vice principal at a Tehran high school who has been accused of widespread sexual harassment of students.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s order comes as allegations against one of his close associates in recent years have not only faced no such similar directive, but senior members of the Supreme Leader’s office have used their authorities to halt proceedings in cases filed against Saeed Toosi, the Supreme Leader’s office Quran reciter.
Two years ago, the VOA’s Last Page program reported that Mohammad Gondam Nejad Toosi, known as Saeed Toosi, a Quran reciter close to the Supreme Leader’s office, became accused of sexually harassing young Quran reciters after complaints were filed by parents of some young reciters. Although after two years of proceedings in 2015, following families’ pursuit, the case became serious and a judge sentenced the Quran reciter close to the Supreme Leader’s office to four years in prison, ultimately Iran’s judiciary issued a not-guilty verdict for Saeed Toosi in December of this year.
Despite various statements by judiciary officials about the existence of Saeed Toosi’s case and complaints from parents of young reciters, Ayatollah Khamenei has never issued an order to the judiciary for decisive proceedings in this case without regard for Saeed Toosi’s connection to his office.
In recent years, Saeed Toosi’s victims have repeatedly faced harassment and intimidation by intelligence agencies.
On Tuesday, June 8th, Iran’s Supreme Leader had earlier claimed to have no management authority over the Judiciary and state broadcasting, which are his appointees. However, on Tuesday evening, in reaction to news of the high school vice principal’s assault, he sent a letter to the head of the Judiciary demanding immediate investigation.
On Monday, the online news website published a report on the sexual harassment of students at the high school by one of its officials. According to the report, one student’s guardian said his son had become aggressive and nervous several months prior, and after taking him to a doctor for treatment of aggression, told his parents what had happened at the school.
According to the student’s father, one school official had forced children into immoral acts by distributing obscene images through a mobile phone.
According to the report, images presented by students’ parents of this school official show the aforementioned individual in handcuffs and in the presence of police admitting that he incited children to immoral acts by distributing obscene film images.
Students’ guardians say children are now undergoing psychological treatment and despite it being exam season, they have suffered severe emotional and psychological damage. In some reports, the number of affected students is stated as 17, and in other reports over 30, with the offending official’s position also mentioned as either a coach or deputy of student affairs at the high school.
Source: Voice of America
