Prominent Iranian Cleric Accused of Illegally Acquiring Prime Real Estate

Prominent Iranian cleric Kazem Seddiqi and his sons have been accused of acquiring prime real estate through illegal means.

Iranian journalist Yashar Soltani published documents suggesting that Seddiqi, the temporary Friday Prayers leader of Tehran, and his children obtained a sizable plot of land in Tehran's affluent northern districts.

Soltani's investigation reportedly reveals that Seddiqi established the Ozgol Seminary on a vast site two decades ago.

A significant portion of this land appears to have been under the control of the Endowments Organization and the Tehran Municipality, a government body managing endowments without designated guardians.

According to the documents, a 4,200-square-meter section of the land was transferred in 2022 to a company owned by Seddiqi and his sons, Mohammad Mehdi and Mohammad Hossein.

Seddiqi denies the allegations, asserting that his signatures on the documents are forged.

He further asserts that a trusted associate registered the company under his name without his consent or awareness.

These accusations have sparked criticism from various groups. Political figures, reformist media personalities, and even some government allies question Seddiqi's claim of innocence.

Seddiqi's case adds on to a growing list of people closely associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who have become embroiled in scandals related to financial corruption in recent years.