Iran: President's brother, Hossein Fereidoun starts his jail term

President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani's brother Hossein Fereidoun, has started his jail term of five years for being convicted of corruption charges on October 16. Fereidoun, who has also served as an aide to the current Iranian President, was arrested on July 2017 and was put on trial in February 2019 for allegations of financial violations. In the final ruling by the court, his sentence was reduced to five years and the fines were also imposed on him for the bribes he was convicted of receiving. The charges on  Fereidoun date back to 2016 and also played an important role in the Nuclear deal of 2015. 

Read - US Warns Chinese Ships Over Carrying Iranian Oil Shipments

Read - Iran Says Missiles Strike Its Oil Tanker Off Saudi Arabia

Unspecified jail term

Earlier in May, Hossein Fereidoun was sentenced to an unspecified jail term in a corruption case. According to the judiciary official, Hamidreza Hosseini said that Fereydoun was not guilty found in some charges while he was sentenced to prison on other accusations. The Iranian President's brother had rejected the ruling and had said that he will appeal in the higher court. However, on Wednesday, Hossein Fereydoun finally entered the jail to serve his term. 

Read - US Charges Turkish Bank With Evading Sanctions Against Iran

Read - Afghan Refugee's 'Dream' Coffee Shop In Iran Becomes Reality

'Reject Allegations'

Hossein Fereidoun had said in a statement that he strongly and categorically rejects allegations against him in the court and some of the media. He further said that he will revolt along with his six acquaintances which began in February. After being arrested in 2017, he was later released on bail. While few critics appreciated the arrest, supporters of President Rouhani deemed the ruling by the court as a plan to disrepute the regime and his family. The President does not share his name with Hossein Fereidoun because he had changed it a decade ago. 

Read - Kurds In Iran Protest Against Turkey's Military Invasion In Syria

Read - Vladimir Putin Visits Saudi Arabia, Keeps Oil & Iran On His Agenda

(With inputs from agencies)