Iran's Deputy Interior Minister Mostafa Tajzadeh, sentenced to jail Sunday after being found guilty of fraud in last year's legislative polls, is still in charge of organizing the June presidential elections despite a court ban, reported the Iranian News Agency (IRNA).
Tajzadeh will "remain in place, there is no question of replacing him because no replacement is possible," for the presidential elections, said Interior Minister Abdolvahed Mussavi-Lari upon leaving parliament Monday.
Mussavi-Lari, who was also accused of fraud during last year's parliamentary elections by Tehran's administrative court Sunday, said "we do not consider Tajzadeh guilty, and we presume that he will be acquitted if (real) justice is done."
"Such attitudes against reformers such as Tajzadeh have no result but an even greater participation of the people in the polls," Mussavi-Lari said.
Tajzadeh, 44, who was designated organizer of the June 8 presidential poll in the face of fierce opposition from conservatives, was ordered jailed for a year Sunday and slapped with a lengthy ban on political activities.
He is free pending an appeal which must be lodged within three weeks.
On Sunday, Mussavi-Lar is expected to be summoned next Sunday by the special court for clergy soon. But the minister on Monday said he had not been informed of any such summons, according to IRNA.
Tajzadeh had been found guilty of complicity in fraud in last year's parliamentary elections which gave reformists control of the legislature and which he also organized.
Tajzadeh, who strongly denied the charges, told journalists he would make unspecified revelations about the case in the coming days.
The court also sentenced Tehran governor Ayatollahi Azarmi to 18 months in prison on similar charges of complicity in electoral fraud and a 45-month ban on holding public office and civil rights deprivation.
Azarmi said that he will appeal the ruling – Albawaba.com
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