November 10, 2017
Many news outlets last week reported that former President Mahmud Ahmadi-nejad (photo) had been charged with embezzlement of public funds. Those reports are incorrect. The state audit agency simply updated a report it issued months ago saying Ahmadi-nejad had improperly ordered state funds to be used to import gasoline and gasoil from 2008 to 2012 without proper authorization. Ahmadi-nejad is not accused of personally profiting from the imports. But the court has said he is responsible for restoring the funds used to the state treasury. The court said the funds total 46 trillion rials, which is $1.1 billion at the current rate of exchange. Instances cited involve his government’s failure to receive payments from the police for crude oil deliveries, and failure to receive payments for condensates sold to petrochemical plants. Ahmadi-nejad has denied being personally involved in any of the transactions.
