Temporary Release of Khalili with a 10 Billion Toman Bail
According to published information, Mohammadreza Khalili, owner of a collection of media outlets known as Blackmail News, has been temporarily released from detention by posting a 10 billion Toman bail.
He, who after temporary and contractual activities in the Secretariat of the Expediency Discernment Council and also cooperation with the news site Tabnak, was prevented from continuing cooperation with these organizations due to some violations, and following a complaint by the Expediency Discernment Council, his case was referred to judicial authorities.
Based on documents, in the late 2010s, he attempted to affiliate himself with the Expediency Discernment Council by establishing several organizations and institutions with cultural titles, including Baztab Farhang and Tabnak Farhang Iranian, exploiting the name similarity of these entities with some well-known institutions and media, to pave the way for securing various projects and contracts.
According to documents, a significant portion of this network’s income comes from contracts for constructing exhibition booths, media projects, cultural contracts, and agreements resulting from media pressure and creating an atmosphere against managers of companies active in petrochemicals, steel, banking, and insurance sectors.
The income from these activities, in less than five years, has been spent on purchasing several residential units in the Pasdaran, Narmak, Navab, and Shahr-e Rey areas, as well as a six-story office building.
Among the companies mentioned in this case are Parsian Oil and Gas, Iran Alloy Steel, Ghadir Neyriz Steel, Ghadir Iranian Steel, Arya Sasol Petrochemical, Marun Petrochemical, Kermanshah Petrochemical, Pardis Petrochemical, and Gol Gohar Iron and Steel Development. Some of these companies have entered into contracts with titles such as media services, cultural activities, exhibition booth construction, event organization, visual identity projects, branding, and also insurance services through direct insurance brokerage Atieh Mehr Mana with Khalili’s companies like Nabze Bazar, Posht Pardeh, and Vaqt Khabar.
The report further emphasizes that examining the financial transactions of bank accounts related to Khalili and his affiliated organizations, especially in certain banks like Gardeshgari and Saman, could shed more light on this case.
Also, after the publication of the first part of the exposé reports by Saeed Aganji, editor-in-chief of Irangate News Agency, and the investigative newspaper, Mohammadreza Khalili sent messages aiming to negotiate and stop the publication process of this case. These requests have gone unanswered, and if necessary, the documents related to these correspondences will also be published.