Hamid Baghaei (Persian: حميد بقایی) is an Iranian conservative politician and former intelligence officer[1] who is considered one of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's closest confidants.[3] He first entered the administration in 2006 as deputy of Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei in the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization. In 2011, he simultaneously held the position of vice president in charge of executive affairs and supervised the presidential administration.[4]
Hamid Baghaei | |
|---|---|
 Baghaei in 2011 | |
| Supervisor of Presidential Administration of Iran | |
| In office 9 April 2011 – 3 August 2013 | |
| President | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |
| Preceded by | Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Nahavandian |
| Vice President of Iran for Executive Affairs | |
| In office 9 April 2011 – 4 August 2013 | |
| President | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |
| Preceded by | Ali Saeedlou |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Shariatmadari |
| Vice President of Iran Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization | |
| In office 17 July 2009 – 19 May 2011 | |
| President | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |
| Preceded by | Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei |
| Succeeded by | Ruhollah Ahmadzadeh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 or 1969 (age 55–56)[1] Hamedan, Iran[1] |
| Political party | Sweet Scent of Service (2006–2009)[2] |
Misuse of public funds
editIn June 2015, Baghaei was arrested.[4] In 2017, for the misuse of public funds while in office, he was sentenced to 63 years in prison.[5]
2017 presidential election
editOn 18 February 2017, Baghaei announced his candidacy in the 2017 Iranian presidential election as an 'independent’ candidate.[6] but his bid was rejected.
References
edit- ^ a b c "حمید بقایی، دومین معاون بازداشتشده احمدینژاد کیست؟". BBC Persian. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ Tehran Prosecutor Confirms Hikers' Sentences, Tehran Bureau, 20 August 2011, retrieved 11 December 2016,
There has also been much discussion about whether there is any link between the Front and Mashaei. Conservative Majles deputy Hamid Reza Katouzian said that the Front is the same as Raayeheh-e Khosh-e Khedmat (RKK, or the Sweet Scent of Service), a pro-Ahmadinejad group that was active from 2006 to 2009. Katouzian added that Mashaei was the leader of the RKK and claimed that the behind-the-scenes leaders of the Front are Mashaei and Vice President for Executive Affairs Hamid Baghaei, another close and controversial Ahmadinejad aide.
- ^ Court Bans Vice President from Gov; Intel Ministry: CIA Spy Ring 'Smashed', Tehran Bureau, 21 May 2011, retrieved 11 December 2016
- ^ a b Former Ahmadinejad vice president arrested, Al-Monitor, 9 June 2015, retrieved 11 December 2016
- ^ "Iran sentences former vice president to 63 years in prison". www.ksl.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ Three Members of Ahmadinejad Cabinet Step in for Presidential Elections, Iranian Diplomacy, 20 February 2017, retrieved 20 February 2017