Memories of Akbar Hashemi - January 15, 2002 - Sheikh Mehdi Karroubi's Walkout from Parliament in Protest of the Continued Detention of Hossein Laghmanian and His Release by Ayatollah Khamenei

The visit of Sheikh Mohammad Mohammadi Rey Shahr to discuss his travels to Spain, France, and Algeria, along with political consultations and criticisms regarding internal disputes and the management of the judiciary.

A meeting with Judge Mirza Beigi, the inspector general and a candidate for elections, where reports and accusations about him led to misunderstandings. He sought Hashemi's assistance regarding this matter and advice on leaving the judiciary to become a lawyer.

Consultation with Mehdi Akbarzadeh regarding job-related issues in the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture, with Hashemi recommending a transfer to the Ministry of Defense.

A meeting with Amir Tehrani, the dismissed deputy for legal and parliamentary affairs at the Ministry of Intelligence, for consultations with Hashemi, who had also suggested the position of the Islamic Republic's ambassador to Iraq or the political and security deputy to the Attorney General. It was mentioned that Sheikh Shafii, the deputy of the Ministry of Intelligence, had also been offered the ambassadorship.

The board of directors of the Islamic Association of University Scholars for political consultations.

Sheikh Mehdi Karroubi's action of leaving the parliamentary session in protest against the continued detention of Hossein Laghmanian and his release on the order of Ayatollah Khamenei, along with Hashemi's account of the Guardian Council's response to the head of the judiciary, stating that the representatives lacked judicial immunity.

Complete Daily Report:

Mr. [Mohammad Mohammadi] Rey Shahr came to visit after returning from Spain, France, and Algeria. He spoke mostly about the positives of Algeria, noting the government’s success against insurgents, the affection of the people towards the Ahl al-Bayt, the network of religious retreats, and the interest of Algerian officials in developing relations with Iran, as well as praising the Georges Pompidou Cultural Center in France. I mentioned that something similar had been established in Rafsanjan in collaboration with Vali Asr University, the Rafsanjan Municipality, and the Office for the Publication of the Ideals of the Revolution. He expressed concerns about the political situation and internal disputes and the shortcomings of the judiciary.

Mr. Mirzabighi Rafsanjani, the head of inspections regarding Kerman affairs at the [Supreme Audit Court], came. He brought a tape of propaganda from the election campaign in Tehran and stated that Mr. [Hashemi] Shahroudi, [head of the judiciary], had developed a negative opinion of him because of listening to that tape. He has established the Islamic Judges Association and previously held a managerial position in the Ministry of Justice but had to resign for the elections and has not been able to return to his former position. He is the brother of a martyr. He sought assistance for his previous job and consulted about leaving the judiciary to pursue a career in law.

Dr. [Mehdi] Akbarzadeh came, expressing his dissatisfaction with the lack of cooperation from the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture and proposed impractical solutions. I suggested that he accept a transfer to the Ministry of Defense. In the afternoon, Mr. Amir Tehrani from the [Ministry of] Intelligence came. He was offered the ambassadorship to Iraq as well as the position of deputy attorney general; he sought advice on these options. I told him both positions would be good. He expressed discontent with Mr. [Ali] Younesi, [Minister of Intelligence], regarding his demotion, mentioning that Mr. Shafii had also been offered an ambassadorship.

The new board of the Islamic Association of University Scholars visited, providing a report on the recent elections. They mentioned having about 800 members from the faculty of public and Azad universities and strongly criticized the dominance of factional biases in universities, stating that appointing unqualified individuals due to party connections has caused dissatisfaction among genuine scholars and led to brain drain. They also criticized the leftists’ political maneuvering and the proposal for civil disobedience, as well as the chaotic actions of parliament members during the condemnation of Mr. [Hossein] Laghmanian, [a representative from Hamadan], and Mr. [Mehdi] Karroubi’s, [Speaker of Parliament], withdrawal from the administration and the passive actions of the judiciary and leadership. They noted that after Mr. Karroubi became aware of the right-wing representatives’ efforts to prepare a letter requesting clemency for Laghmanian from Mr. Shahroudi, this scene was orchestrated. They thanked me for my recent principled positions regarding America, Israel, and democracy, asking me to speak more for the guidance of society.

Today, Mr. Karroubi left the parliament in protest against the continued detention of Laghmanian, and representatives sent a letter to Mr. Shahroudi, requesting that he find a way for Laghmanian’s release. He requested clemency from the leadership, which was accepted, leading to Laghmanian's release. Mr. Tabasi from Mashhad expressed satisfaction over this matter over the phone. Interestingly, at the same time, the Guardian Council announced in response to Mr. Shahroudi’s inquiry that representatives do not have judicial immunity.

The U.S. continues bombing Afghanistan under the pretext of destroying caves, while Russia insists on the withdrawal of American forces from Central Asia.