Other Lessons from the Case of Sheikh Kazem Seddiqi

Abdollah Abdi – Abdi Media

I have repeatedly stated that the reactions of prominent social figures such as politicians, activists, civil society actors, lawyers, and other well-known individuals in the country—especially media activists (except for those aligned with the system to amplify such news)—are important for the Islamic Republic, particularly its intelligence, security, and judicial bodies.

Whether a topic is intentionally orchestrated from the outset or truly happens, these reactions are always subject to intelligence or security decision-making, and ultimately, if needed, judicial action.

In the case of Sheikh Kazem, after a more thorough review, though with all the limitations on my ability to investigate, I clearly stated:

1. There is no record of this complaint, which has sparked numerous analyses, being submitted to the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. Additionally, there has been no referral by the prosecutor, unless some unofficial actions have been taken through other channels. I have not delved into the details of those intelligence-judicial actions yet, as the details and surrounding information and documents have not been verified.

2. Up until the end of March 2024, no case has been filed against Sheikh Kazem in the Special Clergy Court of Tehran, and assuming the authorization of the Special Clergy Prosecutor, no cases have been opened in District 1, 32, 37, 28, or 33 courts of Tehran either.

Moreover, despite receiving reliable and confirmed reports indicating that Sheikh Kazem has been routinely invited to Ayatollah Khamenei’s public meetings, and that there would be a noteworthy response to the accusations against him, I did not rely solely on these reports. Instead, I posed a question: "Will Ayatollah Khamenei address the issues surrounding Sheikh Kazem directly, indirectly, or in some significant way?" In that note, I did not write anything in favor of or against Sheikh Kazem.

The report was accurate.  

Sheikh Kazem was invited to the event and seated in a prominent position, in front of other officials, highlighted by the cameras.

This meaningful gesture was another confirmation of the earlier references to the Friday prayer ceremony. Please note that the Friday Prayer Organizing Committee cannot invite the Friday prayer imams of Tehran to lead the prayer without coordination with the permanent Imam.

Therefore, the message of Sheikh Kazem’s presence at Friday prayers, followed by his appearance at Ayatollah Khamenei’s meeting, was that the accusations against Sheikh Kazem were not accurate or valid, considering the necessary review by the leader of the Islamic Republic.

At the top of all these issues, it is crucial to reiterate something I mentioned in another note:

"In the laws, regulations, and practices of the Islamic Republic, anyone who makes a claim against others, publishes a document, or makes a statement is responsible for proving it."

It must be emphasized that evidence suggests the examination of other aspects of the case is ongoing within the relevant judicial and intelligence bodies.

I have repeatedly stressed that caution in making statements and not being misled by the strange and intricate games of the Islamic Republic’s intelligence apparatus is a matter of prudence and wisdom.