Imam’s Executive Headquarters: Major Economic Plunderer and Rival to the Revolutionary Guards

His name came into prominence when he entered oil contracts. Neither his purchase of a stake in telecommunications, nor his construction activities, nor his entry into banking operations, nor when he launched the Talia credit mobile phone service had drawn such media attention. “Tadebbir Economic Development Group”……. However, it became headline news when one of its newly established subsidiary companies, in its first contract, took over the development of an oil field.

It was after that analyses began and “Tadebbir Group” with its subsidiaries came under media scrutiny. When the ceremony for the construction of the Peace Pipeline in Pakistani territory was held, the name “Tadebbir Group” was mentioned as its builder. Does this news have any truth to it? What is “Tadebbir Economic Group” affiliated with? How does it generate income and how does it spend? What companies are the six large holdings that are subsidiaries of “Tadebbir Economic Development Group”? You will find answers to these questions.

So the public knows little about the activities of this major economic organization. Just as little is known about the activities of “Barkat Foundation.” The large charitable foundation established under the supervision of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters (may God have mercy upon him) to empower deprived areas and engage in public welfare activities. And for the benefit of those in need and in less-developed areas. How much revenue does “Tadebbir Economic Development Group” with all its companies have? How much does “Barkat Foundation” spend?

This headquarters began operations on the 26th of Ordibehesht in 1368 (April 15, 1989), approximately one month before the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, through a decree addressed to Habibollah Asgaroladi, Mehdi Karroubi, and Hassan Sanei to take control of all funds and assets of unknown ownership without an owner, inheritance without an heir, and assets related to khums and exit from liability and implementation of Article 49 of the Constitution, and other laws placed in the hands of the Supreme Jurist. The aforementioned individuals were authorized by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to take any measures they deemed appropriate in all aspects of sale, custody and management of these assets, or to place some of these authorities in the hands of the Ministry of Economics and Finance. Through this decree, this headquarters was obligated to use all resulting revenues in Sharia-prescribed matters, including the Martyrs Foundation, the 15th Khordad Foundation, the Housing Foundation, the Relief Committee, the Welfare Organization, the Shahid Rajai Plan, and the Foundation of Disabled Veterans of the Islamic Revolution, and other designated purposes. After Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death, the headquarters’ leadership was transferred in 1373 (1994) by Sayed Ali Khamenei to Mohammad Sharifatmadari and later in 1376 (1997) Dr. Mohammad Javad Irvani assumed this position. Mohammad Makhber has held the position of headquarters director since 1386 (2007) to the present.

Dual Legal Nature of the Headquarters

The Imam’s Executive Headquarters is organizationally composed of two branches: judicial and economic enterprise. The judicial branch has laws approved by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, while the economic branch has been organized by order of Sayed Ali Khamenei. The financial resources of the economic branch are provided by the judicial branch and its economic activities. In such a way that this headquarters even pays taxes on its own economic activities. This is while according to Article 44 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran’s economic system is based on three sectors: public, cooperative, and private, and no other economic sector operating under the supervision of the Supreme Leader is defined.

The dual judicial and economic nature of the headquarters violates the fundamental principles of systems based on the separation of powers, since in such systems the judiciary is independent from the legislative and executive branches. According to Article 57 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the legislative, executive, and judicial powers are independent of each other.

Contradiction in Implementation of Article 49

According to Article 49 of the Constitution, the government is obligated to seize wealth resulting from usury, usurpation, bribery, embezzlement, theft, gambling, misuse of endowments, misuse of tax farming and state transactions, sale of barren and uncultivated public lands, establishment of places of corruption and other unlawful means, and return them to the rightful owner, and in case the owner is unknown, deliver them to the public treasury. This order must be executed by the government through investigation and verification and legal proof.

However, according to Article 8 of the law for the implementation of Article 49 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, approved on 17/5/1363 (May 1984) during the second term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly under the presidency of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, after the court establishes that the assets and property of natural or legal persons are unlawful, if the amount is determined and the owner is identified, it must be returned to the owner, but if the owner is not identified, it is placed in the hands of the Guardian, and if the amount is not determined, if the owner is identified, the court must negotiate with the property owner, but if the owner is not identified, one-fifth of the property must be placed in the hands of the Guardian.

The contradiction of this resolution with Article 49 of the Constitution is evident.

Parallel Work with the Organization for the Collection and Sale of Confiscated Assets

The law establishing the Organization for the Collection and Sale of Confiscated Assets and its charter was approved on 7/11/1370 (October 29, 1991) by the third term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly under the presidency of Mehdi Karroubi.

The duties of the Organization for the Collection and Sale of Confiscated Assets, as specified in Article 1 of its establishing law and charter, overlap with the legal duties of the headquarters, which constitutes a kind of parallel implementation of the constitution.

The then Head of the Judicial Branch Sadegh Larijani, through circular letter number 100/15658/9000 dated 27/3/1392 (June 18, 2013) to judicial authorities across the country, transferred much of the legal duties of the Organization for the Collection and Sale of Confiscated Assets to the Imam’s Executive Headquarters and considered that headquarters as the sole authorized institution regarding assets related to the Supreme Jurist. Furthermore, he extended the assets in the possession of the Supreme Jurist to the following cases: assets of unknown ownership, ownerless, inheritance without an heir, smuggled goods without an owner or absent owner, assets deposited in free zones and special economic zones, confiscated assets, abandoned assets, assets and properties of missing persons, assets related to khums and exit from liability and implementation of Article 49 of the Constitution and other laws in the possession of the Supreme Jurist.

Lack of Inspection and Audit by the State Audit Office

The activities of the headquarters, based on Note 2 of the law listing non-governmental public institutions and organizations, approved on 29/4/1373 (May 20, 1994) during the fourth term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly under the presidency of Ali Akbar Nateq-Nouri, which states: (the implementation of the law regarding public institutions and organizations under the supervision of the Supreme Jurist will be with his permission), are not subject to oversight by the State Audit Office except if the Supreme Leader requests the audit as per item b of Article 2 of the law establishing the State Audit Office.

Furthermore, the headquarters does not fall under any of the provisions of Article 2 of the law establishing the State Audit Office that defines the audit scope of the organization is not.

Tax Exemption

According to Article 78 of the law for adding some articles to the law regulating certain financial provisions of the government (2), dated 13/12/1393 (December 4, 2014) during the ninth term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, to establish educational justice and implement Article 30 of the Constitution and equip all educational institutions with priority in deprived areas and villages, the Imam Reza Holy Shrine and those economic enterprises and institutions that are subsidiaries of the armed forces, the Imam’s Executive Headquarters and other executive agencies that had not paid taxes until the time of approval of this law, were obligated to pay direct taxes and value-added tax.

However, on the other hand, item (4) of Article (2) of the law amending the law on direct taxes, approved on 27/5/1394 (May 18, 2015) during the ninth term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, exempts foundations and institutions of the Islamic Revolution that have a permission for exemption from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Sayed Ali Khamenei from paying direct taxes.

The regulation for handling cases related to Article 49 was issued on 10/3/1379 (June 1, 2000) by the then Head of the Judicial Branch Sayed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi based on delegated authorities from the Supreme Leader.

According to circular letter dated 14/5/1388 (August 5, 2009) from the then Head of the Judicial Branch Sayed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, decisions and orders issued in matters that are instances of assets in the possession of the Supreme Jurist shall continue to be issued and executed in the name of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters.

Through a decree dated 3/6/1393 (June 25, 2014) Sadegh Amoli Larijani, the then Head of the Judicial Branch, appointed Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeei as head and member of the oversight and follow-up committee for cases related to Article 49 of the Constitution.

In 1386 (2007) and with Mohammad Makhber’s coming to power, a new approach to the headquarters’ social and economic activities was initiated by Ali Khamenei with the aim of providing opportunities for people’s participation, especially entrepreneurs, inventors and elites of the country, with priority given to deprived segments of society in the country’s deprived areas……………………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!! However, not only has this not been achieved to date, but it has also resulted in the execution of many entrepreneurs.

The economic section of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters is not recognized as a non-governmental public institution because there is no mention of it in the law listing non-governmental public institutions and organizations, approved on 29/4/1373 (May 20, 1994) during the fourth term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly under the presidency of Ali Akbar Nateq-Nouri.

Part of the organizational structure of the economic section of the headquarters was published by the U.S. Department of Treasury in 2002

Barkat Foundation

The revenues from implementing Article 49 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and also the revenues from the headquarters’ economic activities, which are conducted as the private sector, are spent through an institution called Barkat Foundation.

Barkat Foundation began operations in Azar 1386 (November 2007), two months after Mohammad Makhber came to power. According to Shahin Shayan Arani, the foundation’s first CEO, “according to transmitted policies, work only in villages and remote and deprived areas of the country” is on the agenda of this foundation. Barkat Foundation’s activities are in the social sphere. The selected title for this foundation’s 1394 (2015-2016) annual report was “From Mosque Building to Poverty Fighting.”

Tadebbir Economic Development Group

This group is the headquarters’ revenue-generating arm in the form of the private sector. The subsidiaries of Tadebbir Economic Development Group are the following holding companies:

• Tadebbir Energy Development Group, which is a shareholder in the following companies:
  • Pars Oil Company (public joint stock) – 75%
  • Bahman Geno Company (private joint stock) – 80%
  • Persian Industry and Gas Development Company – 100%
  • Qaed Basir Petrochemical Production Company (public joint stock) – 80%
  • North Drilling Company (public joint stock) – 10%
  • Tadebbir Drilling Development Company (private joint stock) – 100%
  • Rei Power Engineering Company (private joint stock) – 100%
  • Abadan Power Generation Company (public joint stock) – 75%
  • Modarran Chemistry Chemical Company (private joint stock) – 100%
  • Tadebbir Parsian Refining Company (private joint stock) – 80%
  • Pars Bazargan Company (private joint stock)
• Mabeen Iran Electronics Expansion Company, which is a shareholder in the following companies:
  • Mabeen Trust Development Company, which is a shareholder in the following companies:
    • Mabeen Company
    • Mabeen Economic Mehr Company
    • Iran Telecommunications Company
    • Iran Mobile Communications Company (Hamrah Aval)
    • KazInterCom
  • Iranians Net Company
  • Aseman Media Company
  • Raymon Media Company
  • AriaCell Telecommunications Development Company
  • Taliya Communications Expansion Company
  • Integrated Mabeen Communications Development Company
  • Mabeen One Kish Company
  • Rahkam Iranians Communications Company
  • Mabeen Far East Technologists Company
• Tadebbir Industry and Mining Development Company
  • Karun Phosphate Products Complex Company
  • Iranians Mining Developers Company
  • Tomorrow Industry and Mining Developers Company
• Tadebbir Investment Company, which is a shareholder in the following companies:
  • Pardis Investment Company
  • Iran and East Leasing Company
  • Iran and East Company
  • Silk Production and Export Company
  • Todos Cultivation Manager Company
  • Tomorrow’s Tadebbir Brokers Company
• Barkat Pharmaceutical Company, which is a shareholder in the following companies:
  • Herbi Farmed (medicinal plants)
  • Persian Pharmaceutical Alborz Research and Technology Fund Institute
  • Barkat Pharmaceutical Industrial Park
  • Biosan Farmed Company
  • Cel Tec Farmed Company
  • Barkat Tel Company (health call center)
  • Ati Farmed Pharmaceutical Company
  • Shafa Farmed Company (center for producing raw materials for various antibiotics from living cells) (produces approximately 14% of the country’s essential medicines)
  • Alborz Distribution Company (confiscated) (belonging to Kazem Khosrowshahi) (having 9000 warehouses)
  • Toolidaro Pharmaceutical Company (confiscated) (belonging to Kazem Khosrowshahi)
  • Alborz Elevation Investment Company
  • Sabhan Pharmaceutical Group
  • Alborz Bulk Raw Materials Production Company
  • Alborz Pharma Company (pre-filled syringes named Prifield)
  • Sabhan Pharma Company (confiscated)
  • Sabhan Oncology Company (Sabhan Oncology drug manufacturing plant in Rasht city) (confiscated)
  • Iran Pharma Company (confiscated)
  • K.B.C Company (confiscated – one of the giants of drug imports to Iran)
• Tadebbir Management Consultants and Strategic Studies Group
• Tadebbir Building Development Group, which is a shareholder in the following companies:
  • Hope Development and Construction Company
  • Behsaz Kashane Tehran Construction Company
  • Future Pars Development Company
  • Tadebbir Innovators Development and Construction Company (Farhazad Innovators Development and Construction)
  • Range Hospitality Omid Kish Company
  • Tadebbir Construction and Development Company
  • Royal Aria Building Company (private joint stock)

In 1388 (2009), this headquarters was involved along with several other companies in purchasing a major stake in Iran Telecommunications Company, which caused many legal ambiguities and protests. Prior to that, in 1379 (2000) this headquarters purchased 48% of the shares of Pars Oil, which was called the largest stock market transaction of that period.

It should be known that the method of confiscation and sale of assets entrusted to the above institution according to Article 49 of the Constitution by government order has always been debatable. However, observing five years of that headquarters’ activities in asset sales and the manner of conducting auctions for the general public is worthy of consideration. Also, confiscation orders for the benefit of the aforementioned organization are only executed by judicial authorities and based on legal and judicial processes and with the judgment of Sharia judges.

The rumor of declaring the assets of the above headquarters by its property and real estate manager does not correspond to the reality of the absence of pricing on confiscated properties and assets and the return of some of them to rightful owners by judicial authorities. From the perspective of critics and opponents, the mere continuation of this headquarters’ activities to date, while it had started with a one-year period from the beginning, is in itself worthy of consideration.

Also, according to those seeking a comprehensive review of this headquarters’ activities, in the year 70 (1991) and with the issuance of a decree by Sayed Ali Khamenei for the confiscation of assets of the Pahlavi dynasty members, Jews and other minorities and even Muslim emigrants, without a lawyer or representative for asset guardianship, the headquarters’ performance took on special circumstances. According to them, out of approximately ten thousand cases pursued in the executive headquarters over the years, only 50% of them were related to members of the former regime and about 50% were related to Muslim Iranian emigrants who had left the country and had no affiliation with the former regime and were solely because of residence outside the country, all or part of their assets were confiscated.

In fact, one of the main causes of this deviation was the judges’ benefit from confiscated assets, and in some cases they were accused of purchasing one to five properties at 10 to 30% of their value, and it was claimed that headquarters officials were not only dissatisfied with this phenomenon but actually encouraged and endorsed it.

Apart from serious legal and religious ambiguities and objections regarding the seizure of assets of citizens who reside in other countries for various reasons, the costs of this action for the system’s reputation, by creating a base for opponents, causing dissatisfaction with the system, forming circles of corruption and mafia bands for asset confiscation under the cover of Article 49 and the executive headquarters and its consequences, causing pollution in the judicial apparatus, law enforcement and executive headquarters have been heavy, and the need for review is evident.

Also, the purpose of Article 49 was not only pursuing the confiscation of assets of former regime members (while its implementation, from critics’ perspective, is very incomplete and only about one-fourth of all assets across the country has been implemented) and after years of the Constitution’s approval, serious work has not been done to implement other standards, and this doubles the need for review of the structure of the entire executive headquarters.

• Oil Contracts
  • Agreement for development of the northern section of the shared Yaran field (shared with Iraq): valued at 600 million dollars, which was concluded within the framework of previous oil contracts with the Industry and Gas Development Company Persia (a subsidiary of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters).
  • Agreement for development of the shared Yaran field and Kupal and Maron fields: the contract amount was not officially announced, but Tasnim News Agency previously announced its value at 2 billion and 500 million dollars. This agreement was signed between Gholamreza Manouchehri, Deputy Head of National Iranian Oil Company and Naji Sadouni, CEO of Persia Industry and Gas Development Company (based on Iran’s new oil contract model).

The oil company affiliated with the Imam’s Executive Headquarters is one of eight Iranian companies whose qualifications for oil exploration and production activities have been approved by the Ministry of Oil.

• Assets of the Economic Section

This headquarters is one of Iran’s major economic enterprises. In November 2013, Reuters News Agency, in a series of analytical articles, based on official documents and evidence and property valuation assessments, company shares and institutions affiliated with this entity, estimated the value of assets under the control of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters at approximately 95 billion dollars.

Previously, the headquarters director announced the value of properties and real estate under the organization’s control as fifty thousand billion rials.

On June 4, 2013, the U.S. Department of Treasury through Executive Order 13599 imposed sanctions on the Imam’s Executive Headquarters. This sanctions was issued in strengthening executive orders issued pursuant to the D’Amato Law.

Based on this, in the list published on January 16, 2016, the Imam’s Executive Headquarters was not on the SDN List and was also not subject to secondary sanctions, but U.S. citizens have been required to block interests or benefits of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters.

In July 2010, the European Union sanctioned the then director of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters, Mohammad Makhber, in the list of individuals or legal entities suspected of being involved in Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missiles, but two years later removed him from the list without any explanation.

In fact, the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran government have since the beginning of their regime’s rule tried each in their own way to become power mafia and in every way they could have gained control of Iran’s wealth and economy. Dozens of organizations and institutions such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, the Imam’s Executive Headquarters, … have emerged, each of which has played a role in the plundering and pillaging of Iran.

With a brief look, it is clear that the Imam’s Executive Headquarters, under the direct leadership of Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, is administered and according to some sources is Khamenei’s powerful arm.

This organization’s capital is currently 95 billion dollars. 52 billion dollars of this capital is allocated to lands whose owners (officials and authorities of the former monarchy regime, as well as national minorities and opponents of the Islamic Republic, ….) were and therefore confiscated by the regime, and 43 billion dollars of it is also the value of companies that this headquarters has established or purchased.

As mentioned, the Imam’s Executive Headquarters was established in 1368 (1989) and according to Article 49 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic approved by the Iranian parliament in 1364 (1985). This organization began its activities on Ayatollah Khomeini’s order from 1368 (1989). In 1368 (1989), Ayatollah Khomeini, through a two-paragraph decree, asked Habibollah Asgaroladi (who passed away some time ago) to, in cooperation with Mehdi Karroubi and Hassan Sanei, implement the article that was included in the 1364 (1985) Constitution. According to Article 49, properties and assets of members of the former monarchy regime and their associates should be identified and confiscated, otherwise sold and their revenues paid to organizations and foundations affiliated with Iran’s leader such as “Martyrs Foundation,” “15th Khordad Foundation,” “Imam Khomeini Relief Committee.” As specified in the aforementioned law, this headquarters had only one year to accomplish this and should have been dismantled by the end of 1369 (1990). However, now after 24 years it continues its activities. Following Khomeini’s death and Khamenei’s assumption of the leadership position, this headquarters did not cease its activities with Khamenei’s cooperation. In fact, Ali Khamenei with this action sought to use this organization to achieve a kind of financial independence against the government.

The Iranian parliament four years ago, through a resolution, exempted the Imam’s Executive Headquarters from investigation and examination of assets and finances. In this parliament resolution, it was stated that centers and organizations affiliated with the leader are not subject to any investigation and examination, except with the leader’s permission.

It is regrettable to know that: The Imam’s Executive Headquarters, with the cooperation of the Revolutionary Court, has confiscated all lands and properties whose owners are members of religious minorities, opponents of the Islamic Republic, or agents of the former regime, or forcibly seized and confiscated them. In the aforementioned report, there was mention of the confiscation of the properties and assets of Bahais of Iran by the Imam’s Executive Headquarters, in such a way that they were either forced to repurchase their properties from the regime or forced to abandon them.

This organization, as its name suggests, is affiliated with the leadership and Sayed Ali Khamenei personally oversees it, and the parliament and the Court of Audit, which are defined in Iran’s constitution as two oversight institutions, have no authority against this organization.

Most of the responsible officials of this organization were previously among the government officials and ministers or trusted by Ali Khamenei.

Properties and Lands: According to information, this organization owns confiscated properties and lands valued at an estimated 52 billion dollars. The owners of all these properties and lands are dissidents of the Islamic Republic as well as national and religious minorities.

Workshops and Companies: The total value of workshops and companies under the supervision of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters is estimated at 43 billion dollars. This organization, because it has extensive powers of action, operates in all sectors from oil and gas, banking, automobile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals to foreign relations.

According to information, four years ago the group of companies “Mabeen Trust Development,” of which the Imam’s Executive Headquarters owns 38% of its shares, purchased 50% of Iran Telecommunications Company for 7800 billion rials, and after this transaction, one of the headquarters’ directors was placed in the position of president of Iran Telecommunications Company.

Another company in which this headquarters has a stake is Parsian Bank, of which 25% of its shares belong to the headquarters. Although according to information, the Imam’s Executive Headquarters owns less than half of the shares in most companies, because it is supported by Iran’s leader, it has the final say in all companies and corporations it has stakes in.

Most of the headquarters’ economic activities and productions are carried out by a group known as the Tadebbir Economic Development Group. Tadebbir Group owns six companies, each operating in a special field. Such as Tadebbir Building Development Group, which is supervised by Mohammad Saidi Kia, former Minister of Construction and Development. Also, Tadebbir Energy Development Group, which is supervised by Gholam Hossein Nowzari, former Minister of Oil of Iran. One of this company’s important contracts is the 600 million dollar contract for the “Yaran” oil field, which was recently concluded between them and Iran’s Ministry of Oil.

Aref Nouri, former head of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters, said in 1378 (1999) in an interview with Farsi News Agency that the headquarters’ profits in the stock market amount to 800 billion rials. He adds that currently 25% of Parsian Bank shares, 20% of Melli Bank shares, 15% of Entrepreneurship Bank shares and about 10% of Iran Khodro shares belong to this headquarters.

Reuters Agency reports that three years ago the mentioned headquarters purchased the “Rei” group of companies. This group consists of 25 various companies, each of which operates in different fields such as energy, transportation and banking, as well as ostrich farming. According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, the value of “Rei” companies is approximately forty billion dollars.

The mentioned headquarters reports that it delivers all its revenues from various economic fields to another group of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters, called the Barkat Institution, and Barkat Institution also spends it on production in Iran. Which is actually nothing more than a justification.

In general, it can be said that the Imam’s Executive Headquarters is a shadow government. Because most of the headquarters’ officials are among former Iranian ministers and powerful officials who receive orders directly from Iran’s leader. The Imam’s Executive Headquarters is in fierce competition with the Revolutionary Guards in all economic and political spheres. For this reason, it can be said that the Iranian government is divided into several poles, each of which wants its share of Iran’s revenue and power.

The Imam’s Executive Headquarters is one of Iran’s financial-economic cartels. And in the past 5 years, in many economic activities, it has been the only rival to the Revolutionary Guards. The Imam’s Executive Headquarters, because it is affiliated with Khamenei, enjoys very powerful economic and security rents and has been kept away from any oversight and criticism.
The Imam’s Executive Headquarters is a governmental and not a state institution that is directly administered under the supervision of the Supreme Leader. This headquarters was established on Khomeini’s order in 1989 with a one-year period to identify and confiscate the assets of those affiliated with Iran’s former political regime, but this headquarters, with the issuance of a decree by Khamenei from 1991, in addition to confiscating the assets of the Pahlavi family members, confiscated the assets of Jews and all those who had emigrated abroad (without the presence and knowledge of their lawyers).

It is regrettable to know:

The Head of the Judicial Branch stated in a circular to judicial authorities across the country: The Imam’s Executive Headquarters (may God have mercy on him) is the sole authorized institution regarding assets related to the Supreme Jurist.

The text of this circular is as follows:
To judicial authorities across the country

Considering the decree dated 6/2/68 of the Imam (may God have mercy on him) and the decree dated 16/6/1368 of the Supreme Leader and other decrees of His Eminence regarding assets in the possession of the Supreme Jurist, the following matters are hereby announced to courts and prosecutor’s offices for necessary action:

1 – Given that to date no permission has been given by the Supreme Leader to the Organization for the Collection and Sale of Confiscated Assets mentioned in Article 3 of the law establishing the Organization for the Collection and Sale of Confiscated Assets and its charter approved in 1370, the Imam’s Executive Headquarters (may God have mercy on him) is the sole authorized institution regarding assets related to the Supreme Jurist.

2 – Assets in the possession of the Supreme Jurist are: assets of unknown ownership, ownerless, inheritance without an heir, smuggled goods without an owner or absent owner, and assets deposited in free zones and special economic zones, confiscated assets, abandoned assets, assets and properties of missing persons, assets related to khums and exit from liability and implementation of Article 49 of the Constitution and other laws in the possession of the Supreme Jurist.

3 – Courts are obligated to investigate and take action to issue supplementary decrees in favor of the Imam’s Executive Headquarters regarding assets left by defendants in cases related to Article 49 of the Constitution where orders were issued in favor of other institutions but have not yet taken action to identify, exercise guardianship and confiscate them.

Oversight of proper implementation of this circular is the responsibility of the chief judges of provincial courts.

Sadegh Amoli Larijani – Head of the Judicial Branch

This headquarters also played a major and essential role in the execution of several major entrepreneurs of the country, including Mr. Mehrafrid Khosravi.

The matter came to light and became public in a way no one expected. The publication of a property sales notice for Amir Mansoor Aria Group in Hamshahri newspaper coincided with another four-page notice issued by the Imam’s Executive Headquarters in 25 provinces of the country. This simultaneity caused the media to treat Aria Group assets and Imam’s Executive Headquarters assets as one and the same, and even state television emphasized the start of sales of Aria Group assets in 25 provinces. Apparently, following the publication of misleading and incorrect news in Mehr News Agency and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s television on the 20:30 program on 14th of Aban 1392 (November 5, 2013), which is also a highly-watched program, it was announced that the assets of the condemned case valued at 3 thousand billion rials, that is, Mehrafrid Amir Khosravi, had been put up for sale in 25 provinces of the country. Several multi-story buildings were displayed in that program and the program’s reporter insisted on conveying to viewers that these buildings belonged to the condemned 3000 billion rial case holder, while none of the displayed buildings belonged to Aria Group and may have been among the buildings the Imam’s Executive Headquarters had put up for sale.
Among the buildings in the Imam’s Executive Headquarters’ property sales notices was a cinema called Niagara Cinema, which belonged to the heirs of the late Ferdin and the heirs of the late Ali Hatami also held ownership of three shares of this cinema, was introduced as an asset of Aria Group, and even one media outlet ran the headline that Mehrafrid Khosravi was a partner with Ali Hatami in this cinema. While part of this cinema’s property belonged to the Imam’s Executive Headquarters that was listed in item 65 of the notice. Also, another property opposite the British Embassy, in item 56 of the same notice, was introduced as Mehrafrid Khosravi’s asset. In the 20:30 program, very many properties with very high figures and prices were attributed to Mehrafrid Khosravi and Aria Group.
Given the method of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s television throughout the conduct of the banking fraud scandal trial, which never agreed to reflect even a small portion of the defendant’s defense and his lawyer’s arguments, in a completely biased and one-sided manner, proceeded to publish false and exaggerated statements and blackening against his client and Aria Group. This time too, in a way, through manipulation of public opinion and attribution of ownership of tens of properties in 25 provinces of the country, it is exactly contrary to enlightening public opinion, attempting to create conditions for misleading the people and officials from the facts. In the programs of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s television, there was never any mention of 17,000 workers employed in the organizations under the management of Mehrafrid Amir Khosravi. Interestingly, in an unprofessional move, the 20:30 program attempted to convey to viewers the mistaken idea that Mehrafrid used funds received from banks to purchase urban properties and these funds, contrary to legitimate purposes, have been withdrawn from the production cycle and used in land and housing speculation. While the subject L/Cs of the case were used in reviving formerly bankrupt state companies and establishing and launching new production units.

and by arranging an emotional media game, while cunningly sidelining a successful entrepreneur and seizing his assets, they continue in this direction.