Iran executed two men accused of economic crimes on Wednesday, part of an effort to stem financial misconduct.
One of the two executed men was Vahid Mazloumin, dubbed the ‘sultan of coins’ by media, a trader accused of manipulating the currency market, according to Mizan, the news site of the Iranian judiciary.
Mazloumin was allegedly caught with two tons of gold coins, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA).
The second man was part of Mazloumin's network and had been involved in the sale of gold coins, Mizan reported.
Both of them were convicted of ‘spreading corruption on earth’, a capital offence under Iran’s laws.
Special courts focused on financial crimes were set up in August with the approval of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in the country.
The courts have handed out at least seven death sentences since they were set up and some of the trials have been broadcast live on television.
