Former Ahmadinejad vice president arrested

Hamid Baghaei, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's vice president in charge of executive affairs, has been arrested, Iran’s Judiciary spokesman Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei told reporters June 8. He did not elaborate on the charges against Baghaei, but many suspect corruption charges.

Baghaei, one of Ahmadinejad’s closest advisers, first entered the administration in 2006 as deputy of the cultural heritage and tourism organization. By 2011, Baghaei simultaneously held the position of vice president in charge of executive affairs and headed the presidential center. He would often accompany the president to the United Nations.