DUSHANBE, January 21, 2015, Asia-Plus — Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri has accused the former Iranian government of transferring huge amounts of money to Istanbul and Dubai in order to keep currency rates under control.
While speaking at the 43rd meeting of representatives of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture on January 17, Jahangiri criticized the previous government for its policies, including sending more than $20 billion to Istanbul and Dubai within 18 months to control the exchange rate, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported according to mehrnews.com.
Jahangiri reportedly also expressed his concerns over economic privileges granted by the state to a “young lad,” without directly referring to Babak Zanjani.
“We wonder how a young lad received more than $2.7 billion of oil income; if this lump sum is not restored to the financial system of the country, it would be a disgrace for the country; the public is now patiently watching us and will definitely ask when the amount embezzled would return to the country,” said the vice president. “As the government, we have not yet found anything out beyond mere speculations.”
Jahangiri demanded that the mechanisms and processes gaining of such privileges by insiders be disclosed to the public. He criticized a line of policy in the previous government, to control exchange rate as sending huge amounts of money to Istanbul and Dubai, where over $20bn was transferred from the country in 18 months.
