February 18, 2022
President Raisi has declared that nepotism is non-existent in his administration, prompting two news outlets to swiftly publish lists of relatives of top officials who hold government jobs under Raisi.
Raisi responded to a question in a televised interview January 25 about giving big jobs to his and his ministers’ relatives and friends by saying that all appointments in his government are based on merit.
He insisted that no one could name even five people in his government who have been appointed to a post based on their family ties. Raisi said if anyone knew of five cases, they should name the individuals, and he would launch an investigation.
During the next two days, two news outlets seemed to take that as a challenge. Moderate website Rouydad24 published the names of two dozen officials it said were relatives of Raisi, his wife or top officials in the government or Majlis. The daily Aftab then quoted social media users who named others.
Among those named are the following:
Meysam Nili, a brother of Raisi’s son-in-law Meqdad Nili, who has been appointed as an adviser to the culture minister. He also has a second job as an adviser to the chairman of the Islamic Propaganda Organization.
Zeynab Kadkhoda, a cousin of Raisi’s wife, has been appointed dean of the faculty of dentistry at the University of Tehran.
Mohammad Mehdi Ah-madi, the son-in-law of Mohsen Rezai, vice president for economic affairs, was initially appointed governor of Bank Saderat, but stepped down quickly as soon his link to Rezai was disclosed on social media. However, after a few weeks, Ahmadi was appointed governor of Bank Shahr.
Mohammad Mehdi Rahimi, a close relative of former Majles Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, has been appointed director general of public relations in Raisi’s office.
Elham Akbari, the wife of Deputy Ahmad Naderi, has been appointed an adviser to the culture minister.
Sajjad Safar-Harandi, the son of Expediency Council member and former culture minister Mohammad-Hossein Saffar-Harandi, has been appointed as the new manager of the Islamic Art and Culture Center.
Hossein Amerian, the son of Deputy Ms. Laleh Eftekhari, has been appointed chairman of the pension fund of Iran’s Steel Industries.
Davoud Azizi, a brother of Deputy Mohammad Azizi, has been appointed chairman of the Islamic Republic’s Tennis Federation.
Health Minister Bahram Eyenollahi has appointed his son-in-law, Shahed Fadaifar, as his adviser at the ministry.
The reports did not give the salaries of any of these appointees.