TEHRAN Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Mohammad Hashemi Shahroudi here Thursday appointed Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammadi Gilani and Ayatollah Morteza Moqtadaei the chief justice and public prosecutor, respectively. The appointment was made following Ayatollah Hashemi's meeting with senior judges of the supreme court and public prosecutor's office and consulting with them. Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi said according to article 162 of the constitution, appointment of the chief justice and public prosecutor depends upon consultations with senior judges of the two legal bodies.

He said both Ayatollah Gilani and Ayatollah Moqtadaei are veteran judges, scholars and judicial managers, adding that past records of the two prominent personalities in academic and judicial fields as well as their campaigns are known to all. Ayatollah Gilani is among the great philosophers of the country who enjoys popularity in the supreme court, said the Judiciary chief, adding that Ayatollah Moqtadaei too is a hard working veteran judge who raised the anti-drug law at the expediency council and received the council's approval.

(IRNA)