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Rouhani's Brother Freed On Huge Bail


Iran -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani’s younger brother, Hossein Fereidoun, attends a press conference in Tehran, January 17, 2016
Iran -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani’s younger brother, Hossein Fereidoun, attends a press conference in Tehran, January 17, 2016

President Hassan Rouhani's brother and confidant, Hossein Fereidoun has reportedly been freed from prison after posting a huge bail, by Iranian standards.

The amount of the bail was announced as 50 billion Toomans, equivalent to $15-16 million. In Iran bails are not necessarily in cash but could also be secured by real estate assets.

Fereidoun who was arrested on June 16, was transferred from court to a hospital yesterday. He was reportedly taken to court for questioning but felt unwell and an ambulance took him to hospital.

For two years, the president’s brother has been the target of accusations related to alleged financial irregularities. On Sunday, he was arrested for not posting bail and taken into custody.

Fereidoun's alleged illegal activities also became a hot topic during last May's presidential election campaign, when Rouhani’s main opponent, Ebrahim Raiesi brought up the issue during the third presidential debate.

An opposition website, Kalameh reported that he is under the custody of Islamic Revolution Guards intelligence organization.

In January, a group of Iranian parliamentarians called for Fereidoun to be put on trial for economic crimes, a move critics described as politically motivated.

Since Rouhani's re-election, tensions have risen between Rouhani and conservative-hardline circles.

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