Iran’s former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, failed to appear in court on November 26 to face nine charges levied against him from his time in office.
“The court hearing to discuss the allegations against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was held in Tehran’s 76th penal court branch in his absence. In this session the judicial committee heard the testimony of the plaintiffs,” said Mohsen Eftekhari, Head of Tehran’s Penal Courts.
According to Alef, a conservative website affiliated with a prominent Iranian parliamentarian, the Article 90 Commission is the legal plaintiff and other accusers are individuals.
Article 90 of Iran’s Constitution puts the Parliament in charge of investigating complaints made about the operation of the Parliament, the Executive, and the Judiciary. A parliamentary commission oversees this process.
The cases against the former president include a delay in the operation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, a failure to carry out the structure of the National Iranian Oil Company, and a failure to allocate the budget for Iran’s metro transport system.
Within the past few days, Ahmadinejad’s supports have been calling for protests in front of the court, but Iranian media has not reported any news of such gatherings.
Ahmadinejad’s bombastic style of governing and his brazen willingness to challenge any opponent created many rifts within the various domestic political factions. The crisis reached its climax when the Supreme Leader considered eliminating the Iranian presidency all together.
The election of Rouhani, a regime moderate backed by reformists, is a welcomed change by the country’s senior officials.