The Ins and Outs of Corruption in the Shamkhani Family Part Four

The Ins and Outs of Corruption in the Shamkhani Family

According to Iran Gate, one of the most important links in mafia networks worldwide is the one responsible for money laundering. This principle also applies to the corruption case within the Shamkhani family, where specific individuals and locations play a central role. An examination of these links shows that Hossein Shamkhani has been extensively overseeing money laundering operations and personally directing this area.

This part of the investigation into the Shamkhani family’s corruption focuses on exposing money laundering rings within Hossein Shamkhani’s mafia network. Key figures play central roles in this area, but detailed information about them has not been published in the media. The fourth part of this investigation reveals information about these individuals and attempts to clarify various aspects of money laundering for the audience.

Layer Upon Layer of Oil Corruption

The main axis of money laundering in the Islamic Republic revolves around exchange offices active in Iran and regional countries. Among them, three major exchange offices are mentioned, the most significant being the Taheri family’s exchange office, which brings money from underground oil exports into the country.

As stated in the second part of the investigation into the Shamkhani family’s corruption, the activities of the Shamkhani-Taheri mafia group are extensive. This group requires cooperation from other rings in various fields, with money laundering being one of the most important. According to documents published by Saeed Aganji, the focal point of this mafia group’s money laundering activities is the Khuzestani Mosque, known as the Vezar Mosque in Tehran.

This mosque, located on Vezar Street in the southeastern corner of Saei Park, is one of the mosques where Khuzestanis residing in Tehran gather. Its official name is the Vali Asr Mosque, but Tehran residents know it as the Vezar Mosque.

From Vezar to Dubai: The Command Rooms of Money Laundering

As mentioned, the Vezar Mosque in Tehran is recognized as the command room of the Shamkhani-Taheri mafia network. Observations also indicate connections between this network and security agencies at this mosque. However, the most meetings occur between members of the Shamkhani family and the Taheri and Rahbarmadani families. Meetings between Hossein Shamkhani, Ehsan Taheri, and Ali Rahbarmadani have been reported both inside and outside Iran, highlighting the significance of the Vezar Mosque and the United Arab Emirates in this mafia network’s activities.

According to documents obtained by Iran Gate, the UAE serves as the overseas command room for the Shamkhani-Taheri mafia network.

The Mazoun Brothers

A closer examination of published documents on Hossein Shamkhani’s activities in the UAE reveals the direct involvement of several other individuals, the most important being two brothers named Ali and Mostafa Mazoun. Documents related to personal accounts at Mashreq Bank in the UAE show several East Asian nationals are also involved in this case.

However, according to these documents, Ali and Mostafa Mazoun’s roles are significantly more prominent than others. It is worth noting that these two brothers are the sons of Abbas Mazoun, a well-known commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This family also engages in petrochemical and steel product sales and money laundering in collaboration with the Emraei family. However, in the Shamkhani mafia network’s corruption case, they have orchestrated extensive money laundering activities.

The Rahbarmadani Family

Among the most important money laundering rings collaborating with the Shamkhani network is the Rahbarmadani family. Ali Rahbarmadani and Mohammadreza Rahbarmadani have purchased multiple properties in Italy worth tens of millions of dollars in recent years. These two individuals are also connected to the Shamkhani mafia network’s money laundering ring in the UAE, but they have more extensive activities in oil sales. Saeed Aganji posted a photo on his Twitter account of Hossein Shamkhani and Ali Rahbarmadani taken on the streets of Dubai.

As previously mentioned, the Rahbarmadani family’s connection with the Shamkhani family is not limited to money laundering for the Shamkhani mafia network. The father of the Rahbarmadani family, who has a long-standing relationship with Ali Shamkhani, plays a significant role in the underground sales of Iranian petrochemical products abroad.

Katerina Rahbarmadani

An interesting point is the role of the Russian-born daughter-in-law of the Rahbarmadani family in their money laundering activities. According to information published by Saeed Aganji, Katerina Nikolaeva, Katerina Rahbarmadani, a Russian national and the Rahbarmadani family’s daughter-in-law, is involved. A photo of Katerina and Ali Rahbarmadani has also been published on Aganji’s Twitter account.

The Rahbarmadani brothers and their Russian-born daughter-in-law have aimed to expand their activities in circumventing sanctions and money laundering by obtaining residency in countries such as France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Reports of purchasing numerous apartments and properties across Europe by this family have been published, closely linked to Hossein Shamkhani’s corruption case and, more broadly, the Shamkhani family’s corruption network.

Smuggling Goods and Currency from the Heart of the Vezar Mosque

In the documents published so far regarding the Shamkhani family’s corruption, the Rahbarmadani family is identified as the main partner of this family. As previously mentioned, the UAE is recognized as the center for directing this family’s money laundering activities, but the Vezar Mosque is the Shamkhani family’s main center, and the entire network is directed from this mosque.

According to published information, the Vezar Mosque in Tehran is introduced as the command center of the Shamkhani network. This mosque, frequented by the Shamkhani family and the Rahbarmadani, Taheri, Mazoun families, and even intelligence and security operatives, currently plays the most crucial role in the oil corruption case involving the former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council’s family.

Reports of goods and currency smuggling through the Vezar Mosque ring have also been obtained by Iran Gate. One of the most important figures in goods and currency smuggling by this network is Abbas Mazoun. Appointed as the head of the Foundation for Combating Goods and Currency Smuggling in the Ebrahim Raisi government, he plays a key role in this area. Abbas Mazoun manages his activities in this network through his sons Ali and Mostafa, under the guise of circumventing sanctions.

The next part of the investigation into the Shamkhani family’s corruption will continue to explore the money laundering rings in this mafia network and the close connections of its members with security agencies.

The Ins and Outs of Corruption in the Shamkhani Family, Part Three