TEHRAN -- The Petropars case is of national significance and is being investigated by the financial offences court, said head of Tehran Justice Department Alizadeh.

Before investigating the case, a report was sent to the heads of Judiciary and Executive, he said, adding that Mr. Khatami believed that since the case was of national importance, it required the government to obtain more information about it so that it would be tackled in a better way.

He added: I told the president that garnering such information was not in my jurisdiction, hence, the matter should be decided by the heads of the three branches of government.

The representatives of the heads of the three branches of government decided that the case should be investigated by the government and if there were any differences over some issues, the controversial issues would be investigated by the Judiciary, Alizadeh added.

It has been decided that the financial offences court will not investigate into the case unless the government has completed its studies, he said.

On the arrest of former prosecutor of Tehran, Miremad, he said, Miremad should not be termed as former prosecutor, for he resigned in 1990. His charges are financial offences, he said.

On the case of Shahram Jazaeri, he said some clerics and non-clerics have received money from him. The case of clerics will be dealt with by the Special Court for the Clergy.