The Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei urged the judiciary officials to help the government tackle economic problems by confronting corrupt elements and those who disrupt normal business and trade.
Addressing the judiciary chief and officials in Tehran on Wednesday, the Leader highlighted the role of the law-enforcement branch in creating a safe and stable economic environment.
“The judiciary needs to be strong and dedicated to its anti-corruption fight and confront those corrupting the economy.”
Stressing the need for efficient economic management, the Leader said “The executive branch has the biggest responsibility in managing the economy, which is the main issue of the country.
But the other branches, namely the judiciary and legislature, also have critical roles in this regard.” Top officials have called in recent day for cracking down on those who undermine financial and economic stability following the steep decline in the value of the rial against the US dollar in the unofficial market.
Some traders and shop owners in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar shut their stores to protest rising prices and the plummeting value of the national currency on Monday. The cause of the fall of national currency–which has provoked a rapid rise in prices of imported consumer goods–is mainly attributed to fears of returning US sanctions after President Donald Trump in May withdrew from a deal on Tehran’s nuclear program.
The government tried to ease the public concerns by allocating forex at subsidized rates for basic imported goods. But the gap between the subsidized rate and the unofficial (black market) rate has led to a visible rise of profiteers and illegal foreign currency peddlers.
On Monday, the judiciary chief, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, condemned “economic saboteurs” trying to harm the economy and said they will be brought to justice and face severe punishment.
Propaganda Campaign
The Leader said the judiciary is now facing a propaganda campaign from hostile foreign media outlets and some “ignorant” people inside the country, urging the judiciary to increase public trust in the key branch of government through efficient public relations and media work.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the public needs to be persuaded that the judiciary is fighting against crime and corruption.
“When a corrupt person is tried and gets punished, in a clear and effective manner explain [this case] to the people so that they acknowledge the righteousness in your performance,” he told the officials.
Western Human Rights
Pointing to the United States’ human rights violations in the world, as well as the crimes committed by France and Britain in Africa and the Indian subcontinent over the past decades, Ayatollah Khamenei denounced the western states for pretending to be advocates of human rights while supporting terror and terrorist groups.
He said when it comes to human rights, it is actually the Islamic Republic that is in the position of “the claimant” in the face of “the criminal western pretenders.”
