Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 21, 1982

The preachers and the Combatant Clergy Association had a meeting with the Imam, and the Imam spoke at length. I was also supposed to participate, but due to appointments I had at Parliament, I went there instead. Representatives from East Azerbaijan came and protested the arrest of Mr. Ghaffoor [Giwi Khalkhali], the representative for Khalkhal, who has been sentenced to five years in prison. I spoke with Mr. Mousavi Ardebili. He said that the competent authorities reviewed the ruling of the Ahar Revolutionary Court—which is being contested due to the background of its Sharia judge—and found the verdict to be correct; however, the representatives' protest remains strong.

At noon, I met with the clergy of Sabzevar, who have grievances against the IRGC and the governor's office. They have been in dispute for months, accusing each other of being associated with the Hojjatieh Society or engaging in extremism.

In the afternoon, I attended the meeting of representatives who are members or supporters of the Islamic Republican Party. I spoke about the necessity of organization and party politics. Mr. [Hamid] Bahrami arrived from The Hague, expressing concern over potential losses we might incur as a result of the proceedings of the Hague Tribunal and international arbitration regarding disputes between us and the Americans.

The Minister of Housing and his deputies came, expressing dissatisfaction with my criticism during the meeting of the reconstruction oversight boards at the Ministry of Housing. I told them that the public is dissatisfied when dealing with the organizations in charge of housing and land. At night, I stayed at Parliament, and Mehdi was with me as well.