Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - May 17, 2000 - Continued Meetings and Consultations with Ali Larijani, Providing the Final Report on the Recount of Tehran Votes

Further continuous meetings and consultations with Ali Larijani, this time presenting the final report on the recount of Tehran's votes and discussing various scenarios for the Guardian Council's decision, including the possible voting breakdown of its members.

If Ali Larijani could supplement Hashemi's memoirs, he might explain why, as the head of the national broadcaster (IRIB) and a political figure, there were so many repeated meetings and consultations, part of which are likely only briefly mentioned in Hashemi's memoirs, and who else was involved. Similarly, one could ask about Masih Mohajeri and his persistent efforts to shut down the press and his proposals to Ayatollah Khamenei for a complete purge of the media.

A consultative meeting was held with Amir Tehrani, the Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Affairs of the Ministry of Intelligence, regarding the ministry's opposition to a draft bill proposed during the reformist government, which aimed to limit the powers of the Supreme Leader. Hashemi seemed to prefer not to delve into the details.

Mohammad Hashemi reported to his brother, analyzing the possibility that Gholam-Hossein Karbaschi might actually be pleased about the suspension of Ham-Mihan newspaper, suggesting that it might align with his goal to be seen as part of the radical Second Khordad movement.

Sheikh Hassan Sane’i met again for further consultation following their previous meeting, this time reporting on his discussions with Hajj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani and Habibollah Asgaroladi regarding the Sixth Parliamentary Elections. It seems that many were working to ensure that the 30 reformist candidates from Tehran did not enter the Sixth Parliament.

A meeting was held with Mansour Ghafouri, an election inspector, though Hashemi did not specify whether he represented the Ministry of the Interior or the Guardian Council. Ghafouri presented alleged examples of election violations and spoke about the anger and pressure from the Ministry of Interior.

In the ongoing discussions about the Tehran elections, Sheikh Abbas Vaez Tabasi recounted his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei.

Ali Aghamohammadi provided a report on his discussions with Sheikh Mehdi Karroubi and Behzad Nabavi, highlighting the internal disagreements among the reformists, particularly regarding the election of the Parliament Speaker, where Karroubi received fewer votes. Aghamohammadi stressed the need to support Judiciary Chief Hashemi Shahroudi in his efforts to close down and control disruptive media outlets.

A historically significant meeting took place with Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, who, at the start of the meeting, reported on the suspension of newspapers and arrests, citing a lack of personnel for interrogations and preparing explanatory documents, as well as non-cooperation from the Ministry of Intelligence.

He mentioned that Akbar Ganji was crying in prison. Ejei also expressed dissatisfaction with the inappropriate treatment by both left and right factions towards Hashemi and foreign powers' delight at weakening him, stating that the roots of this conspiracy against the revolution run deep.

Mohseni Ejei then raised concerns that during the investigation of the serial murders, there might be attempts to implicate him, the Leader, or other individuals. He explained that he intended to shut down Bayan newspaper and had summoned Seyyed Ali Akbar Mohtashami, but efforts were made to appease the complainants, and Mohtashami had promised future caution.

In a tactful and somewhat veiled manner at the end of the meeting, Mohseni Ejei mentioned that during the election period, a man named Saeed Vafaiyan, who was suspected of collaborating with the British, approached him and offered to prepare significant revelations against Mehdi, Hashemi's son, if the political strategy was to undermine Hashemi. Ejei replied that the system seeks to preserve Hashemi Rafsanjani's dignity. He also noted that there were signs of British involvement in this matter, as confirmed by the Ministry of Intelligence.

The sentences for the individuals involved in the attempted assassination of Saeed Hajjarian were announced. Saeed Asgar received 15 years in prison, three others received sentences of 10 years or less, and three were acquitted. However, the reformists were not satisfied with the verdicts and demanded harsher punishments. Hajjarian has not yet filed a personal complaint, so the sentences were based on public charges.