Seyyed Mohammad Ali Fatehmi, a figure who proudly calls himself "Doctor," has hidden a complex story of corruption and rent-seeking behind his managerial facade. Together with companies like "Fateh Industry" and "Fateh Group," he has formed one of the largest corruption networks in the oil, gas, petrochemical, and refining sectors of the country.
Common Interests and Suspicious Contracts
The role of Touraj Dehghani, CEO of Pars Oil and Gas Company, in these transactions is unprecedented. His transfer from Petropars to Pars Oil and Gas, facilitated by the lobbying of Fatehmi and Farokh Alikhani, paved the way for the signing of ambiguous contracts with companies affiliated with Fatehmi. These contracts have benefited a few specific individuals at the expense of national interests.
Challenges and Suspicious Deaths
In the case of leasing a barge for three years to Pars Oil and Gas Company and the National Iranian Oil Company, there are many ambiguities. Following the suspicious death of Bahlooli, an opposing employee to this contract, Dehghani and Sepahdar Abbaszadeh quickly moved to advance this deal. The rental amount, the method of contract assignment, and the pricing of the barge all reveal hidden dimensions of corruption.
Fatehmi's claims in informal meetings about purchasing an apartment in Dubai for the Minister of Oil and board members indicate the depth of this corruption. Thus, similar stories have also been heard in the past regarding major oil and petrochemical contracts.
