Azernews.Az

A number of persons, including some members of the parliament, have filed a complaint against Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, the chief of staff of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and have sent the case to the Intelligence Ministry and the Supreme Audit Court for investigation, the parliament's website reported.

The case includes Mashaei's comments about the Iranian school of thought, prophets, and Israel.

Ahmadinejad and Mashaei are close relatives. Ahmadinejad's son married Mashaei's daughter.

Mashaei registered in the recent presidential election, but he was disqualified by the Guardian Council.

When working together with Ahmadinejad, Rahim Mashaei was criticized by conservatives and religious leaders for some of his statements and actions. In particular, Mashaei criticized those who consider music haram (forbidden in Islam), and said that Tehran should maintain friendly relations with all countries, including Israel.

After winning the presidential election in 2009, on July 17 of that year, Ahmadinejad appointed Mashaei as vice president.

However, on the orders of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mashaei on July 24 was removed from the post. After that, Ahmadinejad appointed Mashaei as the chief of staff in his administration.