Mostazafan Foundation Unlikely to Contest Government Appeal

Mosfazafan Foundation, which won a court ruling last month that named it “the rightful owner” of Niavaran and Sa’dabad palace complexes, is unlikely to fight an appeal by Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.

The ruling raised concerns among activists and ICHHTO, which considered itself the owner of the two historical sites. However, the manager of Niavaran Palace Complex believes the foundation will not pursue the court case due to the financial compensation it may have to pay the government.

“The sites have been owned by the cultural heritage organization for 38 years and a lot of money has been spent by past and present governments for their upkeep,” Rahmatollah Ra’ouf was quoted as saying by YJC.

“To gain the ownership of the sites, the foundation will have to reimburse the government, which they’re unlikely to do,” he added.

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Council of the Islamic Revolution (which acted as the country’s legislative body up until the formation of the parliament) transferred the deeds of Niavaran and Sa’dabad to the Cultural Heritage Organization, along with all other historically-significant sites not owned by the Pahlavi dynasty.

Established in 1979, Mostazafan Foundation is the second-largest commercial enterprise in Iran and the biggest holding company in the Middle East. It accounts for 1.5% of Iran’s gross domestic product.