Judiciary chief: No escape from justice for fugitive corruption suspects

Iran’s Judiciary chief has ordered the serious pursuit of financial corruption suspects who have fled the country, warning that they will not be spared prosecution no matter where they have run to.

Ebrahim Raisi served Attorney General Mohammad Ja’far Montazeri and the Judiciary’s Deputy for International Affairs Ali Baqeri with the directive on Monday, ordering diligent efforts to have those on the run brought to justice, Tasnim News Agency reported.

The directive advised “those who are subject to accusations to surrender themselves to justice, and know this that they will not be able to escape the grasp of justice.”

The order came as some of those suspected by Iranian authorities of involvement in corruption cases have reportedly fled to Western countries such as Canada. Pictures have emerged apparently showing the suspects going about their daily affairs in those countries, outraging authorities and the public alike.

Raeisi asked how come some of the countries that lay claim to fighting organized corruption and money laundering have come to provide refuge to criminals and corruption suspects.

He called the trend one of the examples of “injustice and oppression against humanity.”