© Hamid Ataeit
Brilio.net/en - Babak Zanjani is an Iranian billionaire and one of the most famous personalities in the country. He was arrested in 2013 when the current president took up his post, after he was accused of misappropriating of public funds. After a trial that lasted for months, the 41-years-old business man was found guilty by the judges. He has been sentenced to death, a quite common ruling in the country, but usually not people of his standing.
The current very formative Government tends to fight actively against corruption, that is eating away at the country and the public resources. Zanjani was very close to the former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, at the head of the country during twelve years (2005-2013) and his execution will also be seen as symbolic image to set an example in some ways.
Image vianewyorknewsgrio
Babak Zanjani was selling petrol worldwide with the support of a network of international banks from China, Malaysia and Tajikistan and this, despite the global sanctions that were taken in order to dissuading Iran from pursuing its nuclear weapons program. Iran remains one of the most sensitive countries and in 2012, his suspicious activities have cost the billionaire a spot on the American and European black lists.
The conviction of Babak Zanjani and his two partners marks a further step fighting the corruptive system but Iran still remains one the most repressive government worldwide. On top of that, the trial is highly lucrative for the Government as it will receive 2.3 billion dollars, through the reimbursement from the accused of the Iranian National Petrol Company, and also pay a debt of a quarter of the estimated sum of money that was laundered.
The story is not over yet though. The accused are allowed to appeal and they of course all will do so. Future trials will be held in the next months.
(brl/red)
