Iranian parliament’s budget committee has once again defended its decision to appoint a controversial operative as the head of its Supreme Court of Audit, despite the publication of numerous documents showing he faked his educational and other credentials.
Mehrdad Bazrpash who is a former Basij militia leader, lawmaker and vice president in the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected with the support of the hardliner Paydari Front in an open session of parliament. Soon after the election some politicians, observers and opponents on social media began criticizing the move, arguing that Bazrpash has been involved in suspected corruption and has faked various documents related to his education and other matters.
However, the head of the budget committee has written to parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf to say that after two more meetings to review the criticism the committee has decided that the appointment was correct, the semi-official ISNA news website reported August 2.
The Speaker himself is accused of large-scale corruption and irregularities during his 12-year tenure as mayor of Tehran (2005-2017).
Elias Naderan, a member of the budget committee, has also criticized the decision saying “legal processes” were not followed in Bazrpash’s election. Another lawmaker has also tweeted the same criticism, saying the budget committee fell short of performing its duties.
Bazrpash served as CEO of two of Iran's largest automakers – SAIPA and Pars Khodro -- during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency. There are allegations that he engaged in corruption at this time when the carmakers were losing money.
