As the state-controlled presidential election gets underway, Iran’s six handpicked candidates begin a mud slinging war on televised debates with accusations from corruption to human rights abuses.
In a Wednesday interview, Tehran's mayor, Alireza Zakani, highlighted his “successful tenure” and emphasized his “relentless efforts to uncover and address pervasive corruption” among officials across various institutions, from the government to parliament.
The ultra-conservative candidate portrayed himself as a determined fighter against corruption, particularly targeting "those in power who enjoy special protection”, in spite of having been one of the main proponents for the violent crackdown on hijab violators in the capital.
"I have always said that we should start with the most powerful people with clear-cut boundaries separating them," he asserted. "Those in power should safeguard people’s lives and wealth, but this is not always the case."
Zakani pointed out that corruption is prevalent among "reformists and fundamentalists [conservatives]," though to varying degrees. He even cited an example involving someone from the Revolution's inner circle who shared the same faction as himself.
However, he alluded to corruption during the previous municipality administration and said he has “salvaged substantial funds from corruption cases,” a comment that could hint at Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, another presidential candidate's, 12-year tenure as Tehran's mayor.
The capital's municipality, a hotbed of corruption, was marred by significant financial mismanagement during Ghalibaf's mayoral tenure, who is now parliament speaker.
His successors revealed a staggering figure, claiming that over $5 billion was either misappropriated or wasted from 2005 to 2017. Despite numerous accusations of financial corruption against Ghalibaf, he was not investigated or accused of wrongdoing, which many attribute to his close relationship with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Meanwhile, Zakani's tenure in Tehran has also been controversial. It included a scandal involving approximately $336 million that went missing. He also faced criticism for appointing his deputy for financial affairs as the head of his campaign team, raising concerns about the misuse of municipal resources for personal political gain. The move is seen as an ethical violation, if not an infringement of campaign laws.
Zakani's remarks on corruption among powerful officials come amid warnings to presidential candidates not to tarnish the country’s image. These warnings include threats of broadcast suspension, part of a broader crackdown on media content preceding the elections.
The directive emphasizes the need for candidates to avoid defamation and behaviors detrimental to national unity and civic engagement.
In another televised interview, Ghalibaf expounded upon his prospective initiatives in the event of his electoral success, affirming his advocacy for whistleblowing, which he claimed he previously institutionalized during his parliamentary tenure. He promised incentives, including financial remuneration for those who come forward with information.
The claims come amid the arrest of Yashar Soltani and Saba Azarpeik, esteemed figures within Iranian journalism renowned for their relentless exposés on corruption
Soltani, who endured imprisonment in 2019 for his investigations into financial malfeasance within the Tehran Municipality under Ghalibaf's stewardship, now faces further legal ramifications. Also, Azarpeik's spouse intimated that Ghalibaf had instigated legal proceedings against her.
Mostafa Pourmohammadi, also vying for the presidency, voiced his commitment to “safeguarding the rights of the accused and prisoners.” in his promotional address aired on TV. However, his candidacy is overshadowed by his association with the infamous Death Commission alongside the late President Ebrahim Raisi, implicated in the authorization of the mass execution of thousands of political dissidents in 1988, a legacy that is still vivid among many Iranians.
