Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - July 14, 2001 - Report by Sheikh Ali Yunessi, Minister of Intelligence, on the Release of Hassan Hashemi Through the Efforts of the Ministry of Intelligence

Farewell meeting with Sheikh Nouh Ali Salman, the Jordanian ambassador in Tehran.

An extraordinary account from Seyyed Ali Hashemi, the son-in-law of Ayatollah Bahai-dini, regarding his wife.

Meeting with Dr. Ali Mahfoozhi, the then head of the Legal Medicine Organization.

Report by Sheikh Ali Yunessi, Minister of Intelligence, on the release of Hassan Hashemi through the efforts of the Ministry of Intelligence.

Appointment of Sheikh Sadegh Larijani and Sheikh Mohammad Hasan Qadiri as the Jurisprudents of the Guardian Council by Ayatollah Khamenei.

The side issues of electing legal scholars for the Guardian Council in the Sixth Parliament.

Following the meeting with Sheikh Abbas Ali Alizadeh, the then head of the Tehran Province Judiciary, and the application of Article 18 of the Law on the Establishment of General and Revolutionary Courts in the Supreme Court, Akbar Ganjii was sentenced to six years in prison in another parallel court.

Full Text of the Daily Entry:

Mr. Sheikh Nouh Ali Salman, the Jordanian ambassador, came for a farewell visit; he is a cleric and a person of knowledge. He expressed satisfaction regarding his five-year stay in Iran and success in improving relations between the two countries, stating that Jordan is currently in a difficult situation. Most people in Jordan are of Palestinian origin, and there are three crossing points between the West Bank and the East Bank of the Jordan River, which are used for travel between the two countries. Due to concerns about a massive influx of Palestinians into Jordan, restrictions have been implemented; nonetheless, the people of Jordan are providing assistance to Palestinians through community connections, and significant expenses are being incurred by Jordan, which manages the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He warned that if Israeli pressure increases, there is a risk of a significant influx of refugees. He mentioned that if this intifada fails, a new struggle will not arise anytime soon, hence Islamic countries should support the intifada. I agreed and mentioned that Israel may see military crises in the region as a way out of its current deadlock.

Mr. Seyyed Ali Hashemi, a student from Kerman studying in Qom and the son-in-law of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Reza Bahai-dini, came. He mentioned that he had borrowed money to buy a house, which was stolen, and sought assistance. He recounted that his wife—daughter of Ayatollah Bahai-dini—had spoken once at six months of age, warning the household to ensure they do not miss their prayers at dawn. I remarked that if this is true, she must have significant religious character. He mentioned that he does not observe any extraordinary qualities in her but confirmed she is a virtuous woman.

Dr. Ali Mahfoozhi, the head of the Legal Medicine Organization, came. He stated that although the organization in Tehran has adequate facilities, it is very poor and weak in rural areas. Annually, about one million deceased cases are submitted to the organization. He noted that there is no specific authority to manage statistics on deaths in the country, hence we lack accurate figures. As a member of the Medical System Council, he mentioned that the majority of the Second Khordadi (reformist) members have created a risk of deviation and politicization.

Yesterday, Mr. Ali Yunessi, the Minister of Intelligence, reported that Mr. Hassan Hashemi, the son of Haj Mostafa Keshkoyei, who had been kidnapped by bandits a few days ago in Keshkoyeh, has been released at the Pakistan border. It appears that a ransom of 50 million tomans was demanded; I do not know if the money was paid or not.

Today, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed Mr. Sadegh Larijani and Mr. Mohammad Hasan Qadiri as members of the Guardian Council, replacing Mr. Seyyed Hassan Taheri Khoramabadi and Mr. Reza Estadi, and extended the terms of Mr. Mohammad Momen and Mr. Mohammad Yazdi. These appointments are perceived as a strengthening of the right-wing faction. The Second Khordadi members have begun to protest the Guardian Council's interpretation of the Assembly's authority to vote on individuals among the six introduced by the Judiciary.

Following the annulment of the appellate court's ruling against Mr. Akbar Ganjii in the Supreme Court, another parallel court sentenced him to six years in prison.