In a controversial and provocative development, two former petrochemical managers who have been convicted of serious charges have returned to managerial roles. The re-emergence of Ahmadreza Heydarniya and Zaher Heydarinajad in the petrochemical industry raises serious questions about oversight mechanisms and managerial accountability.
Rent-Seeking Managers and Corruption in Petrochemicals
Zaher Heydarinajad, the former CEO of Kermanshah Petrochemical, who was sentenced to two years in prison and heavy fines, has recently been appointed as the chairman of the board of Isfahan Petrochemical. This appointment is clearly accompanied by numerous criticisms and questions, indicating a serious weakness in oversight processes.
On the other hand, Ahmadreza Heydarniya, the dismissed CEO of Shiraz Petrochemical, has also resumed his role as the chairman of the board of the Special Economic Zone of Petrochemicals. This is while, according to legal standards, individuals with definitive convictions should be serving their sentences and not occupying key positions in the industry.
These developments clearly indicate the continuation of networks of influence and behind-the-scenes support in the petrochemical industry. Managers who, despite corruption cases, continue to return to power and severely undermine public trust.
The question now is how such individuals regain influential positions and why there is no accountability regarding this issue? Is corruption becoming institutionalized in the country's management system?
