Alizadeh Says No Compromise on Mohajerani's Case
December 19, 2000 - 0:0
TEHRAN The Judiciary will study the case of the Hajj deposits handled by former guidance minister Ataollah Mohajerani without any consideration, said the Head of the Tehran Justice Department Ali Alizadeh. Talking to the TEHRAN TIMES, he added, there has been no compromise between the Judiciary and President Khatami on this issue, he said in a telephone conversation. His comment was an answer to a question regarding his lengthy talks with President Khatami in a meeting of the top officials with the Leader. According to Tehran-e Emrouz weekly, President Khatami held lengthy talks with Alizadeh. The unusual prolongation of the talks gave rise to the speculation that the two officials were discussing Mohajerani's case. According to some reports Khatami had sought and won the assurances of the Judiciary not to prosecute Mohajerani as a precondition for accepting his resignation. The applicants of Hajj have deposited billions of rials with the Guidance Ministry waiting for their terms to go on pilgrimage. The ministry utilizes the interests of the deposit in implementation of its policies. According to some reports Mohajerani has mishandled the fund. The court has already begun to study the disbursement of the fund. One reason for Mohajerani's decision to withdraw his resignation earlier was that he was afraid of being prosecuted. In a letter to the Leader of Islamic Revolution, the guidance minister had sought his permission to utilize the interests of the fund for cultural activities. The Leader allowed the usage, but said that it must be under the supervision of the president. President Khatami in turn asked the ministry to prepare the regulations for the said purpose, but the ministry declined to do so. Before the acceptance of his resignation, Mohajerani tried to get the approval of President Khatami for money he had disbursed out of the said fund, one source said, adding, definitely he has a plan to this effect which we do not know.