Marjan Sheikholeslami: From Parliamentary Candidate to “Queen of Corruption”
Legal Challenges and Allegations of Corruption
The most notorious chapter of Sheikholeslami’s story is her alleged involvement in Iran’s largest corruption scandal—linked to the Petrochemical Trading Company (PCC). In 2018, she was indicted as the main partner of Reza Hamzehlou, the former CEO of PCC, for participating in “major disruption of the economic system.”
The court accused her of illicitly earning over €7 million and $8.7 million through controversial contracts with PCC, as well as amassing illicit wealth totaling hundreds of billions of tomans. She faced charges of embezzlement, economic disruption, and illicit wealth accumulation.
She strongly denied the allegations, asserting her activities were legitimate and legal. From her base in Canada, she claimed to have no illicit income and prepared to contest the charges through legal channels.
International Fugitive Status and Interpol Red Notice
In November 2014, Iran’s judiciary announced that an Interpol Red Notice had been issued for Sheikholeslami, marking her as a fugitive wanted for extradition. She reportedly fled Iran in August 2017, initially moving to Turkey and later settling in Canada.
The Iranian authorities accused her of fleeing to evade justice, while Sheikholeslami claimed her activities were lawful and she had not committed any crimes. Despite her denials, the judiciary maintained that she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for economic crimes and was actively sought for arrest and extradition.
Her case became a media sensation, dubbed “Khalji-gate,” referring to her ex-husband Mehdi Khalaji’s political opposition and her alleged financial misconduct.
September 16, 2025 | 7:42 pm
