Ahmadinejad faces a grilling by Tehran MPs

Published on Wednesday 8 February 2012 01:10

Iran’s parliament has summoned president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for questioning over a long list of accusations, including that he mismanaged the economy.

The summons was the first of its kind for an Iranian president since 1979. It followed a petition by a group of MPs for a review of policy decisions by Mr Ahmadinejad, who has come under increasing attacks in recent months from the same hard-liners who brought him to power. Mohammad Reza Bahnoar, the parliament deputy speaker, said MPs have demanded Mr Ahmadinejad answer questions on the economy, including allegations of by-passing a special budget for the Tehran subway and public transportation.

He is also to be queried about foreign and domestic policy decisions.

“There is a requirement for the president to answer questions in an open session of the parliament,” said Mr Bahnoar, whose parliament speech was broadcast live on Iranian state radio.

A letter containing the summons is to be sent to Mr Ahmadinejad in next two days. Under Iranian law, he has up to a month to appear, though the penalty for not attending is unclear.