Iranian President Hassan Rohani’s younger brother, Hossein Fereidoun, has been arrested on financial crimes charges,the Iranian judiciary said on July 16.
"Multiple investigations have been conducted regarding this person, also other people have been investigated, some of whom are in jail," spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said in a televised press conference.
"Yesterday, bail was issued for him but because he failed to secure it he was referred to prison," Ejei added.
Fereidoun, who is also the president’s aide, has long been accused by the conservatives of financial crimes and corruption.
Fereidoun's alleged illegal activities also became a hot topic during last May's presidential election campaign.
In the third presidential debate, Rouhani's main rival, conservative cleric Ebrahim Raiesi raised the issue and addressing Rouhani said he had knowledge that judiciary officials had shared the financial problems of Rouhani's "closest person" with the president.
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 and hardline circles.