Ahmadinejad: kin of speaker corrupt

An MP protests while President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during the impeachment of the labour minister at the parliament in Tehran yesterday. Reuters/DubaiPresident Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday accused the parliament speaker’s family of corruption, during an angry debate reflecting a struggle between the Iranian leader and rival factions in his final months in power.The president used a speech defending a minister against impeachment to level accusations of corruption against the family of speaker Ali Larijani, in a session marked by jeering and shouting.The legislature voted 192 to 56 to remove labour minister Abdolreza Sheikholeslami over what lawmakers said was the illegal appointment of Saeed Mortazavi, a former prosecutor accused of links to the deaths of prisoners.Ahmadinejad said he had a tape of a private conversation between Fazel Larijani, the speaker’s brother, and Mortazavi, that proved the family had used the official prominence of the five Larijani brothers for economic gain.The president played a portion of the tape but it could not be heard clearly in the chamber, so he read what he said was a summary of the conversations.He claimed Fazel Larijani had implied in a meeting with Mortazavi that he could use his brothers’ influence to remove obstacles for private firms, in return for involvement in their projects.“These are audio and video, and the tape is clear,” said Ahmadinejad, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency (Isna). “If the honourable parliament speaker sees fit, we can turn over the 24 to 25 hours (of tape) to you.”Ali Larijani, a possible presidential contender in elections to be held in June, fired back at Ahmadinejad, saying the president’s accusations had nothing to do with Sheikholeslami’s impeachment, and denying the charge of corruption.“Our problem is that our president does not observe the basics of proper behaviour,” Larijani said. “Why did you discuss this issue here?”Larijani continued: “Actually it’s a good thing ... that you played this tape today, so that the people better understand your character.”At this remark, the chamber erupted in jeers. At one point, Ahmadinejad asked to speak again, a request Larijani denied, and Ahmadinejad left the chamber.