Special directive from the Chief Justice to the Attorney General for identifying and legally addressing potential culprits of the Shahid Rajaee Port incident
According to the Judiciary Media Center, Mohseni Ejei, speaking on Monday, April 28, during the Supreme Council of the Judiciary meeting, reiterated condolences for the incident at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas. Expressing sympathy with the victims’ families and wishing a swift recovery for the injured, he said, “The incident at Shahid Rajaee Port is deeply saddening and regrettable on one hand, yet on the other, it highlights the high resolve and humanity of the noble people of Islamic Iran, who volunteered for relief efforts and lined up at blood donation centers to contribute to the treatment of the injured.”
The Chief Justice noted that officials from various branches and institutions were present at the scene from the earliest moments, working diligently to manage the crisis and ensure that the port’s daily operations and transit activities were not disrupted. “Thus, we must express gratitude to them all. Judicial authorities in Hormozgan Province were also on the scene from the initial moments, and we in the capital were in constant contact with them,” he added.
The Chief Justice emphasized, “Relevant judicial authorities, including the Attorney General, in collaboration with security and intelligence agencies, should swiftly identify those potentially responsible, negligent, or whose shortcomings led to the Shahid Rajaee Port incident. They must face appropriate legal consequences in line with the law and proportional to the standards and circumstances. The Attorney General should, if necessary, appoint a special task force for this purpose. In this regard, both precision and speed are crucial. Additionally, the committees formed to investigate the incident’s various dimensions must pursue their work diligently, ensuring that the passage of time does not diminish their seriousness.”
The Chief Justice further stated, “Another important point is that all responsible officials in relevant sectors and institutions should provide transparent and accurate information to the public regarding the dimensions of the Shahid Rajaee Port incident to prevent the spread of rumors and falsehoods. Appropriate measures should also be taken against those who intend to exploit this situation and threaten the psychological security of the public.”
Mohseni Ejei, addressing the issue of combating corruption, declared, “Everyone must know that combating various forms of corruption, especially economic and financial corruption, is an ongoing commitment. We are determined to fight corruption and its roots in a scholarly, professional, and comprehensive manner, ensuring that corrupt individuals face the consequences of their actions. We firmly believe that corruption is contagious, and if not addressed, it will spread to all aspects and affairs. Over decades and recent years, we have gained experience in fighting corruption, training experienced judges familiar with banking, financial, cryptocurrency, and complex corrupt practices. These judges are well-versed in the tactics and schemes of fraudsters, embezzlers, and bribe-takers, and their resolve to confront corruption deeply, precisely, and swiftly is unwavering.”
The Chief Justice emphasized, “We insist that, as far as the law permits, courts, especially those handling economic and financial charges, should be held publicly. Public trials benefit both the judges and the people, as they enhance legal and judicial knowledge, helping to prevent many instances of corruption and fraud. Additionally, with adherence to legal standards, the proceedings of public trials can be published, provided the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code are strictly observed.”
In today’s session, the Chief Justice also highlighted the need to mobilize resources across all branches of government to realize the year’s slogan, saying, “Under no circumstances should we neglect the realization of the year’s slogan, ‘Investment for Production.’ We must dedicate all our efforts to meeting the requirements of this strategy. We must ensure security for investors and provide full support to investors and economic actors who are committed to boosting production and strengthening the country’s economic foundation. In this regard, the way we communicate information is highly effective; we must instill confidence in investors in various ways that their investments are secure in our country.”