Accused in fraud case attends government meetings

Iranian news websites report that the former deputy head of the Central Bank, who is accused of playing a part in Iran's $3-billion bank fraud and is currently out on bail, is attending important meetings of the Ahmadinejad administration.

Hamid PourMohammadi, who was the deputy head of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran until last November, was arrested in connection with the $3-billion bank fraud and dismissed from his position. He was later released on bail.

The Mehr News Agency reported today, Sunday, that PourMohammadi is attending top government meetings, and the agency published a photo of the former bank deputy head at the recent meeting of the Petrochemical Industry Development Committee together with the vice president, Mohammadreza Rahimi.

Mehr writes: "He was immediately dismissed from his position at the Central Bank after his arrest, so it is not clear in what capacity he is attending government meetings."

PourMohammadi's presence at government meetings has also been challenged by Ahmad Tavakoli, the head of Parliament's research centre, on his website Aleph.

Previously, Tavakoli had challenged the authenticity of PourMohammadi's credentials as deputy head of the Central Bank and accused President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of using unqualified people in his administration.

Ahmadinejad denounced PourMohammadi's arrest in November.

The judiciary has not announced a trial date for PourMohammadi.

The $3-billion bank fraud centres on Amir Mansour Arya Financial Group, headed by MahAfarid Amir Khosravi, who is accused of acquiring $3-billion through the sale of fraudulent letters of credit to banks. Several bank managers and officials are also charged with receiving exorbitant bribes to facilitate the fraud process.

Source: Payvand News