Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - January 25, 2000 - The Supreme Leader Granted Clemency to Gholamhossein Karbaschi After His Rewritten Request

Visit to the Ministry of Intelligence headquarters and exhibition of the ministry’s achievements, followed by a speech to the officials at the time.

Meeting with officials from the Islamic Propaganda Coordination Council.

The most important meeting of the day was a one-on-one with Ayatollah Khamenei, where the Supreme Leader, after Gholamhossein Karbaschi rewrote his request for clemency, announced that he had granted the pardon and had issued the order for his release to the judiciary. Additionally, the Leader asked Hashemi a question regarding a statement he made during a recent Friday prayer sermon or interview, where Hashemi had mentioned criticism of those obstructing the nation’s development.

Detailed Translation:

From home, we went to the Ministry of Intelligence. I toured the exhibition of their activities and attended a meeting with the ministry’s directors. Mr. [Ali] Younesi, [Minister of Intelligence], welcomed us, and I spoke about the various forms of opposition the ministry faces, the recent pressures due to the murders, the need for patience, strengthening morale, being lenient with the public, and being strict with troublemakers. In the afternoon, the officials from the Ten-Day Dawn Ceremony Headquarters came, and I gave a speech on the importance of reminding people of our successes.

In the evening, I was a guest of the Leader. He said that he had issued the pardon for Mr. [Gholamhossein] Karbaschi. We discussed the [upcoming parliamentary] elections, my trip to Qom tomorrow, the newspapers, and other topics. He asked me a question about my recent remarks regarding those who hinder development; it seems he might not have liked it, but he did not say anything more.