Dorri's Resignation Accepted, Yunesi Prepares Agenda
February 8, 1999, TEHRAN TIMES CITY DESK
Information Minister Qorbanali Dorri-Najafabadi yesterday went to President's
Office to submit his resignation to President Seyed Mohammad Khatami, a
reliable source said yesterday. The source, talking to the TEHRAN TIMES
on condition of anonymity, said the President has accepted his resignation.
An earlier story published by the TEHRAN TIMES on Jan. 20 had predicted
that Ali Yunesi would replace Dorri-Najafabadi. Also yesterday, Yunesi
was appointed as minister of information by the President and he is now
busy preparing his future agenda as country's intelligence chief.
Khatami is to introduce Yunesi to the Majlis as new information minister
for the approval. Yunesi is one of three members who, on behalf of President
Khatami, successfully conducted an inquiry into the recent murders of dissidents
and writers.
It was also said yesterday that the deputy information ministers Pour-Mohammadi
and Ashna will also be replaced.
Dorri-Najafabadi will be appointed as advisor to Khatami and will also
continue to head the Committee for Planning in the Expediency Council.
Yunesi was born in 1955 in Nahavand, Hamadan Province. After completing
his religious education, he joined Qom Theological School where he studied
under the guidance of martyr Mohammad Besheshti and martyr Qoddosi. In
1980, he completed his education and in 1986, Qom Islamic Seminary certified
his credentials as an official for Judiciary.
In 1981, he received graduation in education from Judicial Sciences
University and received M.A. in 1997 in the subject of national security
affairs. Yunesi started his political career when the Imam was in exile.
He attended meetings of the revolutionary figures such as Ayatollah Qoddosi
and Haideri. He was active against the Shah's regime as a supporter of
Abuzar Group.
When the Shah's regime tries to dismantle Abuzar Group Yunesi tried
to put a new life in it. Because of pressure exerted by Shah's secret but
dreaded police SAVAK Yunesi went into exile and joined the Palestinian
and Lebanese guerilla camp. Upon return home he resumed his political activities
and therefore he was again persecuted by SAVAK. He was arrested during
uprising of people against the regime in Nahavand in 1979 and was arrested
by SAVAK and after undergoing severe torture he was transferred to office
of SAVAK in Hamadan.
After the victory of the Islamic Revolution he has under taken the following
positions. He was one of the seven-member delegation that was responsible
for allocation of land in Qom. He headed Tehran Revolutionary Court and
also headed Army Revolutionary Court. He was an official of political and
ideological instructions of the Islamic revolution Committee. He also cooperated
with Mohammad Mohammadi Reyshahri in the establishment of the Information
Ministry.
Yunesi was also representative of the deputy commander in chief of the
Armed forces in the military intelligence department. Also worked as general
prosecutor in Tehran for four years. He was holding the post head of Judicial
Organization of armed Forces.
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