The appointment of Mohammad Reza Tafaghod Rasti as CEO of Apadana Petrochemical, given his managerial background in security, indicates the continuation of non-specialized and patronage appointments in the petrochemical industry. Recently, news has emerged about his replacement of Mahmoud Fakhraei. A review of Tafaghod Rasti's background shows that in the 2010s, he held positions in security management and physical security management at TAPPICO and several other companies and industrial holdings.
Tafaghod Rasti's Background and Career Path
After his management role at TAPPICO, Tafaghod Rasti, due to his security connections, became the CEO and Chairman of the Board at Jam Sanat Karan Company. However, he was removed from this position in May of this year and began extensive efforts to obtain a higher managerial position. It seems that he has managed to take the helm of Apadana using his connections in the Persian Gulf Holding.
Alongside the criticisms of this non-specialized appointment, it should not be forgotten that Mahmoud Fakhraei's record, the CEO facing dismissal at Apadana, had plunged the company into corruption and loss. It seems that Fakhraei's replacement is more of an opportunity to shield him from the array of corruption and collusion cases at Apadana than to improve the company's disordered conditions.
The Role of Mafia Circles in Appointments
Fakhraei, a member of Karim Pahlavani and Mahmoud Badri's circle, during his management at Apadana, had numerous documents published about collusion with contractors, receiving special shares from contract allocations, and his patronage and directive appointments. Experts consider Fakhraei's management period as a factor in Apadana's decline.
According to industry activists, replacing Tafaghod Rasti with Fakhraei is another move in the petrochemical mafia circles' game in this industry. These circles aim to preserve the obtained benefits while preventing legal pursuits for previous corrupt managers by distributing managerial positions.
