The mainstream media for the most part has moved on. But there are a few more gleanings to be had, of perhaps the most interesting comes from the Daily Mirror, which labels al-Hilli an extremist on the grounds that he was against the war in Iraq, disapproved of the behaviour of Israel and had doubts over 9/11 – which makes a great deal of the population “extremist”. But the Mirror has the only mainstream mention I can find of the possibility that Mossad carried out the killings. Given Mr al-Hilli’s profession, the fact he is a Shia, the fact he had visited Iran, and the fact that Israel heas been assassinating scientists connected to Iran’s nuclear programme, this has to be a possibility. There are of course other possibilities, but to ignore that one is ludicrous.
Which leads me to the argument of Daily Mail crime reporter, Stephen Wright, that the French police should concentrate on the idea that this was a killing by a random Alpine madman or racist bigot. Perfectly possible, of course, and the anti-Muslim killings in Marseille might be as much a precedent as Mossad killings of scientists. But why the lone madman idea should be the preferred investigation, Mr Wright does not explain. What I did find interesting from a man who has visited many crime scenes are his repeated insinuations that the French authorities are not really trying very hard to find who the killers were, for example:
the crime scene would have been sealed off for a minimum of seven to ten days, to allow detailed forensic searches for DNA, fibres, tyre marks and shoe prints to take place.
Nearby bushes and vegetation would have been searched for any discarded food and cigarette butts left by the killer, not to mention the murder weapon.
But from what I saw at the end of last week, no such searches had taken place and potentially vital evidence could have been missed. House to house inquiries in the local area had yet to be completed and police had not made specific public appeals for information about the crime. No reward had been put up for information about the shootings.
Behind the scenes, what other short cuts have been taken? Have police seized data identifying all mobile phones being used in the vicinity of the murders that day?
The idea that the French authorities – who are quite as capable as any other of solving cases – are not really trying very hard is an interesting one.
Which leads me to this part of a remarkable article from the Daily Telegraph, which if true points us back towards a hit squad and discounts the ides that there was only one gun:
Claims that only one gun was used to kill everybody is likely to be disproved by full ballistics test results which are out in October.
While the 25 spent bullet cartridges found at the scene are all of the same kind, they could in fact have come from a number of weapons of the same make.
This throws up the possibility of a well-equipped, highly-trained gang circling the car and then opening fire.
Both children were left alive by the killers, who had clinically pumped bullets into everybody else, including five into Mr Mollier.
Zainab was found staggering around outside the car by Brett Martin, a British former RAF serviceman who cycled by moments after the attack, but he saw nobody except the schoolgirl.
Her sister, Zeena, was found unscathed and hiding in the car eight hours later.
Both sisters are now back in Britain, and are believed to have been reunited at a secret location near London.
There are of course a number of hit squad options, both governmental and private, which might well involve iraqi or Iranian interests – on both of which the mainstream media have been very happy to speculate while almost unanimously ignoring Israel.
But what interests me is why the Daily Telegraph choose, in the face of all the evidence, to minimise the horrific nature of the attack by stating that “Both children were left alive by the killers”? Zainab was not left alive by design, she was shot in the chest and her skull was stove in, which presumably was a pretty serious attempt to kill a seven year-old child. The other girl might very well have succeeded in hiding from the killers under her mother’s skirts, as she hid from the first rescuers, and then for eight hours from the police.
The Telegraph article claims to be informed by sources close to the investigation. So they believe it was a group of people, and feel motivated to absolve those people from child-killing. Now what could the Daily Telegraph be thinking?
Going back to topic.
DA notice (Defence Advisory notice)
There are no doubts whatsoever that there was a DA notice. Journalists weren’t allowed to write about the families and their history, particularly their history in the Middle East. Names were kept secret and photos weren’t published by media (quite uncommon in a murder case). Websites were removed and falsificated with certain surnames being completely eliminated or falsificated within one day after that crime.
A DA (Defence Advisory Notice) is used to defend National Security.
Why would reports regarding Mollier and al Hilli’s/Iqbal’s/Grandma’s previous life endanger British and French National Security?
There are definite facts:
DA notice -》 national security -》 intelligence work.
Today we know about their family history as much as we could find.
However, there was nothing that could be a reason for a DA notice.
There must be more.
DA Notice (2)
Below there are two events when a DA notice was used to defend national security.
The al Hilli case must have been something like that or even more dangerous for the UK.
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/content/guardian-g8-spying-revelations-were-breach-da-notice-guidance-doesnt-explain-lack-follow
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/19/david-miranda-schedule7-danger-reporters
It was quite obvious that a D notice was locked on thsi story from the start, the lack of information and (as you say BB) that websites and documents where changed literally before our eyes at the time!
Its very sad that a family was murdered leaving two children behind, it is a tragedy and from the lack of media coverage it leaves us with the impression that best efforts have not been made to solve this case! This makes me believe that the authorities know more and also know that they will probably never bring the trained killers to trial!
I always check back to see the developments of this story and have enjoyed everyones input! the whole mess hasnt made sense from the beginning!
OK, but what kind of national security threat could be complete information regarding Mollier and the al Hilli clan? What kind of family information would be a threat to national security or a threat to british soldiers or agents?
Is the al Hilli clan a SIS asset?
Well, then DA notice would be likely.
Would revealing more about the al Hilli clan become dangerous for somebody in the government?
E.g. the UK secretly sponsoring and supporting Hezbollah, or else regarding false flag events?
Was al Hilli somebody like Snowden, Hastings or Assange?
DA notice see above.
I cannot see any other reason for a DA notice since a DA notice is necessary to prohibit future information but it isnt necessary to black out previously known information.
Even uranium smuggling wouldnt be a reason for a DA notice IF the governments werent actively involved in that business. Are they?
We should concentrate on possible reasons for a DA notice regarding information about the al Hilli clan and Mollier.
Just a rhetoric question.
What would have happened if Snowden would have had a meeting in Chevaline (Col d’Ire) on Sept 5th with somebody who claimed to be from AFP or from Le Monde in order to receive the encoded data sticks regarding the NSA scandal?
That “somebody” – finally – was perhaps a covert CIA agent?
Would Snowden still be alive today?
A DA notice was given re:Snowden and ot was given re:al Hilli.
I hope that you understand my hint here.
Just another rhetoric question:
Al Hilli -》 Mollier -》 ?¿
Snowden -》Miranda -》Greenwald
Something to think about. You can carry data sticks even as a cyclist. Though you must meet your partner since you need the encryption key and encryption advice.
You cannot send that advice digitally.
Btw. off topic, Miranda did not get the Miranda rights (though those are only valid in USA). Strange coincidence.
BB 9.46 spot-on as always. This from Rusbridger article @ http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/19/david-miranda-schedule7-danger-reporters I found interesting:
“Alan Rusbridger replied:
That’s not quite how DA Notices operate. They are actually standing notices, available here.
They did (ill-advisedly imho) circulate a reminder of them when the Snowden allegations broke. But there was no “ban” and it didn’t stop us from reporting the NSA or GCHQ stories.
dperth said:
Why the basement and who chose to go there? It adds a nice element of the macabre to the story – or is that how spooks always work. (Interestingly, I have just finished reading Le Carre’s “A Town in Germany” and that has scenes of unauthorised secretive work being carried out in a British Embassy basement).
Alan Rusbridger replied:
Really smashing up computers turns out to be quite messy work…”
Now some observations: I don’t think we are quite CERTAIN the Chevaline story was subject to D Notice are we. Certainly a contributor who claimed to be a Manchester journo said so and it appeared quite convincing but I don’t think it has been corroborated or validated. Please correct me if I’m wrong. However as you know, I think the independent indicators all point to high sensitivity that can only be espionage/state secret sensitivity in my opinion. As soon as one comes to that opinion, everything else is coloured by it, not least the fact that the French/British police investigation MUST be a charade. At least the one presented to the public. Whether this represents the true investigation is anyone’s guess. In circular fashion, a fraudulent public investigation also proves the real nature of the events though does not unravel them.
I don’t know if you checked out that MI6 Documentary from 2003. It’s not bad, confirming what we all know that Britain has the capability to carry out assassination, and has done so directly and indirectly even in the recent past. Also that it has a long history of communication interception, that is now focused on Assange/Snowden/GCHQ that government is desperate to keep a lid on, given its sensitivities to friend and foe alike. In some ways this is understandable, but the images of people, otherwise law abiding, being held incommunicado and their possessions taken, whilst in international transit, and the possessions of newspapers being smashed in basement, has such chilling totalitarian ring to it, that we would all do well to be on our guard.
I commented at the time on WBM’s BBC/SKY interview as to that strange interview room and the hastily erected BBC sign, indicative of a very unusual environment – basement even. We have never been told the location of that venue as far as I am aware. Just little details that can say a lot.
I won’t bore you with the James/Katie thing. For some reason they have targeted me on a personal level whilst adding little to the general debate. This and other features, such as James quite contrasting style on MZT and spelling errors in a highly qualified professional pilot, I find surprising, not to say suspicious. They both cropped up again following a series of posts culminating in my “twelve points” around the theme of Iranian sabotage by principally US/Israel. Neither engaged with the points raised but instead just trying to provoke an argument around person invective. I think this suggests either a personality issue or that I had touched on sensitive issues that needed distraction. There has also been a hint (not overdone) of threat too which I see as indicative of security bureaucracy/ethos. I came across an interesting CIA/FBI quote of a sliding scale of intervention running from poking fun, to insult, to threat, to intimidation, to arrest, to incarceration, to permanent “neutralization” whether by legal or illegal means. We have seen some interesting side issues to the Nightingale prosecution relating to Diana haven’t we? First step discredit the witness – always a sure sign of something untoward or true.
I know you prefer an all-money motivation for the crime. You may be right. Money will undoubtedly figure somewhere for sure. However I tend to the view that the centrality of SM and his work has to be up there somewhere, either as regards what he knew or what he could provide. Back to that film: turning an existing agent is one of MI6’s principal methods. My hunch is that that was what SAH was sent there for. A British way in to established routes and methods or an existing British asset inside the French industry. Did SM have a British Passport application pending or not as has been suggested?
Sorry if I have gone on a bit here. I agree with both James and Katie I should be more succinct but I just didn’t have the time!
Current UK DA notices:
As of 2008, there are five standing DA-Notices:[2]
DA-Notice 01: Military Operations, Plans & Capabilities
DA-Notice 02: Nuclear and Non-Nuclear Weapons and Equipment
DA-Notice 03: Ciphers and Secure Communications
DA-Notice 04: Sensitive Installations and Home Addresses
DA-Notice 05: United Kingdom Security & Intelligence Special Services
On 8 April 2009, the Committee issued a DA-Notice in relation to sensitive anti-terror documents photographed when Assistant-Commissioner Bob Quick arrived at Downing Street for talks about current intelligence.[3]
On 25 November 2010, the Committee issued a note to editors drawing attention to standing DA-Notices 1 and 5 in relation to sensitive documents expected to be imminently released on the websiteWikiLeaks.[4][5][6]
In June 2013 a DA-Notice was issued asking the media to refrain from running further stories related to the US PRISM programme, and British involvement therein
Current Australian DA notices:
In 1974 the number of D-Notices was reduced to four, covering:[8]
Technical information regarding navy, army and air force weapons, weapons systems, equipment and communications systems;
Air operational capability and air defences;
Whereabouts of Mr and Mrs Vladimir Petrov; and
Ciphering and monitoring activities.
A fifth D-Notice relating to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) was issued in 1977.[8]
In 1982 D-Notices were again revised to four.[9]
D Notice 1: Capabilities of the Australian Defence Force, Including Aircraft, Ships, Weapons, and Other Equipment;
D Notice 2: Whereabouts of Mr and MrsVladimir Petrov;
D Notice 3: Signals Intelligence and Communications Security; and
D Notice 4: Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS).The Defence, Press and Broadcasting Committee has not met since 1982 although the D-Notice system remains the administrative responsibility of the Minister for Defence.[8]
So then, into what category shall we put the al Hilli clan?
Rusbridger says something interesting along the lines of “Given that all journalistic communication is being monitored confidential sources will no longer be possible. We shall have to go back to hand written”. I have always been puzzled at Chevaline by the questions: “Why a MEETING?” “Why MOLLIER?”. Is the answer the transfer of something that could not be trusted to internet, fax or land or mobile telephone? We know Mollier’s body was SEARCHED! What was he bringing to the meeting of such importance? Did he have it on him? Was IT removed and by whom? Never have we been told if he retained his mobile phone which he must have had on him as his partner said she called him yet got no reply. I wonder where it was ringing when she did?
….. and significantly perhaps, there is no suggestion/evidence that any attempt was made to search/disturb any of the bodies in the car.
Conclusion: whatever was being sought was in the possession/on the person of Mollier NOT the Al Hillis. Is this suggestive of transfer of vital info from SM TO SAH, and not vice versa? Perhaps cash the other way for which a meeting would also be required if a paper trail was to be avoided? Was this part of the purpose for the Geneva trip the day before. Was the bank deposit story just cover for the real purpose of the trip – to get cash for the handover?
re Nightingale trial claims re Diana killing and other assassinations
http://www.channel4.com/news/princess-diana-death-sas-letter-dodi-al-fayed-letter
Seeing as so many wild theories have been written here, I have to ask,did anyone see Horizon last night on BBC2 ?
Terrific program on hackers, I suggest those of you in the UK who have the use of iPlayer watch it, absolutely fascinating,they also covered Stuxnet.
I kept thinking of that computer bank Saad had.
@Bluebird
re: DA notice
There was definitely something unusual in the way user comments were handled in the online version of my UK newspaper. In fact that was what made me start looking on the internet. All speculation regarding a possible nuclear connection was immediately deleted.
Just to illustrate why I think the Iranian state was not behind these murders. The media and western governments are quick to point the finger at the slightest hint of Iranian involvement as illustrated by this story:
Scotland Yard counter-terrorism unit investigate Dubai abduction
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/09/scotland-yard-dubai-abduction
BlueBird
D Notices.
After the recent airport arrest, confiscation of laptop and nine hour detention (under the terrorism “act”) a senior retired police officer noted that….
“…there was no injunction”.
Is the application of an injunction standard UK police policy now ?
@Marvin
“As for you James, why not offer your own favourite scenario/theory..”
Simply because the is not enough “evidence” to do so.
But hey, don’t let that little thing stop you !
Make believe can be fun.
Agreed Bleb
20 Aug, 2013 – 8:35 pm. A long time back I used Sherlock Holmes’ aphorism about “eliminating all the impossibles, what you have left must be the solution, however improbable.” That’s why I ruled out terrorists, criminals, Iranians, Chinese, Russians, al-Qaeda, et al. Simply because, as you say, the Franco/British reaction would have been quite different had it been.
re your ref. bleb quote and note the obvious differences with Chevaline:
“Among details handed over by the SFO to Tehran were the contents of Yazdi’s online contacts book. Documents seen by the Guardian show that Iranian officials were told: “We located an Excel file of addresses in Mr Yazdi’s computer. A copy of the spreadsheet is attached marked ‘Address Book’.”
Asked why such details were given to Tehran, a spokesperson for the SFO said: “We can neither confirm nor deny SFO interest in this matter. Requests for international assistance are usually dealt with by the Home Office, UK Central Authority, which is overseen by the secretary of state.”
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said: “We can confirm that SO15 counter-terrorism command is investigating the disappearance of Abbas Yazasanpanah Yazdi, aged 44 years, on the 25 June in Dubai. We are providing family liaison support at this time. Inquiries continue.
“The Met police’s counter-terrorism command on occasion assists with complex investigations which have an international element as they have the most appropriate investigative expertise.”
On Thursday, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are concerned by the reports [of his death] and are following up with the Emiratis who are leading the investigation into his disappearance. It would not be appropriate to speculate.”
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/09/scotland-yard-dubai-abduction
the Guardian seems to be up to its neck in spy stories at the moment. I admire their approach despite considerable pressure on the editor apparently. Maybe I’ll change papers.
sorry, but there it is again @ James
20 Aug, 2013 – 9:16 pm
“(under the terrorism “act”)”
So what “act” was he detained under Tim ?
Do please tell !
You see the BBC, a senior ex police officer, critics of his detainment, his friend…and even the person himself that was detained ….. said that the police detained him under the terrorism “act”.
Even the police have confirmed this.
But clearly you know better ! So I would love to read your learned explanation.
Maybe, just maybe you could even explain what an “act” is (and refer to “consent” and who passes an “act” if you could.
Otherwise… I will ignore your long, tedious, self duluded posts…and likewise, you ignore mine.
Ahhhhhh James
20 Aug, 2013 – 11:39 pm
the fact that you put Act in inverted commas thus “act”. Why would that be now?
why do you spell “beliefs” “believes”?
Only you know.
Tim v.
The Abbas Yazdi story/assassination is interesting in comparison with the al hilli assassination. Abbas Yazdi was a money launderer for bribery money to Iranian clerics. Whenever there was big business, Yadi’s Horton company laundered the money.
Money is always a good reason to kill somebody, particularly when he will be a witness at court of law. I would not blame Iran. This is mafia style. Of course there are many mafia organisations in Iran, too.
Evidence:
Justicefornone, 23 September 2012 , 20:30
For being in the top positions in the future of countries like Iran spending time in prison is one of the requirements, so there must be plan to put her on higher position than former MP. As far as her beloved brother Mehdi is concern, just google : Horton Investment’s owner Abbas Yazdi,(Abbas Yazdanpanah Yazdi) who introduced Statoil to Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani. the 2 been spending much of the Past few years in Dubai, spending and investing part of the $15.2 million consultancy contract signed in 2002 with Horton. But in a country that 28 billion dollars in gold and cash dollar reaches another country and 3 billions of dollars find her way to Canada, and no one has a right to question the Money that is generated in Khorasan Razavi, then everything is possible for people with connection in higher echelon and the illuminated Town (Madineye Monavvareh) is the dreams of fools that are seeking Justice, in a system that Lies are the stone head of its foundation. Do not give my name to them.
http://www.todayszaman.com/comment_commentListDetail.action?newsId=293164
http://iranian.com/Opinion/2004/April/Bloomberg/index.html
A statement from France’s prosecutor of the republic identified those two individuals as Bijan Dadfar and Abbas Yazdi.
http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/29/news/companies/total-bribery/index.html
MEHDI HASHEMI RAFSAMJANI, SON OF ALI AKBAR, INVOLVED IN BRIBE CASEOSLO 17 Sept. (IPS) Olav Fjell, the chief executive of Statoil, Norway’s state-owned oil company was voted to continue as the firm’s boss after a 13 hours questioning session by the company’s directors over a 15.5 million US Dollars bribes paid to an intermediary group to secure solid access in the lucrative Iranian oil market.What makes the case interesting is that the man suspected to have opened the doors of Statoil to Iran’s south Pars gas fields in the Persian gulf is Mr. Mehdi Hashemi, one of the five children of Iran’s number two man, Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.According to Norwegian press, Statoil paid 15.5 millions to Horton Investments, a small company registered in Turks and Caicos Islands of the Caribbean and owned by a young Anglo-Iranian businessman named Abbas Yazdi, who hired Mr Hashemi, a Director of the National Iranian Oil Company for the purpose.Statoil’s board chairman, Leif Terje Loeddesoel, said on Wednesday at a news conference that the contract ”smelled bad”, and he directed sharp criticism at Mr. Fjell. But he said that Mr. Fjell could continue in his job after explaining his actions in a 13-hour meeting that ended late Monday night.Loeddesoel said the board agreed that the Iranian contract, with consultancy Horton Investment, should not have been signed, and that assessments made by Fjell prior to the deal were inadequate.Norway’s leading business daily newspaper, “Dagens Naeringsliv”, quoted Mr. Fjell last week as saying he knew some of the money might go to Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani, whom Fjell said he knew “vaguely”.”The contract was with Horton Investment, a company owned by an Iranian living in London who has given us advice,” Mr. Fjell said. “We have also had advice from the junior Rafsanjani, but I don’t know what the financial relationship is between Horton Investment and Rafsanjani, if any.”Mr. Fjell said after the internal audition and that of the Police that the criticism he received on this matter were justified, adding that the contract was “a serious misstep”.The Norwegian police, who raided Statoil’s offices last Thursday, questioned Mr. Fjell for two hours on Wednesday afternoon. The police said they were investigating whether the contract involved the ”illegal influencing of foreign government officials.”On Friday, and after that the press reported the financial scandal, Richard Hubbard, the Head of Statoil’s international exploration and production resigned abruptly and the company revoked the 11-year $15.2 million consultancy contract signed in 2002 with Horton, saying it would pay no more than the $5.2 million that it had already paid to the firm.It is believed that it was Hubbard that introduced Statoil to Yazdi and his Horton Investments.Spokesman Kai Nielsen said that Rafsanjani was one of the two consultants that the company had worked most with in Iran, alongside Horton Investment’s owner Abbas Yazdi, who introduced Statoil to Rafsanjani.Consultancy deals are not illegal in Norway but the police are understood to have acted on fears that some of the money paid to Horton Investment was really intended as a bribe to Iranian officials.The contact signed with Iran thanks to the young Hashemi Rafsanjani stipulates for the Norwegian company to handle operation activities of the offshore’s phases and requires it to invest about US dlrs 330 million in the projects. The buy-back contract’s duration is 46 month.Statoil will be reimbursed with the exploited condensate and other gas derivatives of the three phases or the exports revenues from the products.Statoil’s role would be to finance and oversee the building of three gas platforms in the Persian Gulf and a treatment plant for gas and light petroleum on land.Radio Farda, the Persian service of the Prague-based Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty quoted some days ago Mr. Mehdi Hashemi as having denied any bribe taking, reiterating that he nor anyone from the family hand anything to do with the case. ENDS NORWAY IRAN OIL AND BRIBE 17903
http://www.iran-press-service.com/articles_2003/Sept-2003/norway_iran_bribe_17903.htm
There you can see how often Abbas Yazdi was involved in bribery and money laundering for the Rafsanjani mafia in Qom. His abduction/assassination is no surprise.
I always said that i can clearly see the al Hilli clan in a similar context, in particular brother Zaid Meyer Lansky.
It isnt unlikely that both Yazdi and the al Hilli clan had worked for western intelligence in such bribary/miney laundering events.
Abductions and assassinations might be a consequence of whistleblowing or of too much knowing or of theft.
You can also see in this example how false and incomplete and onesided even the now popular guardian did report (re read your linked article after you had read my links here first!).
Bb
Katie
20 Aug, 2013 – 3:31 pm
“wild theories here” – now what ones would they be do you think?
Thanks for that Horizon programme reference which I watched on the I Player as a result.
And as for the “Stuxnet” virus which I referred to above in my 12 bullets (to please James who is into them) “which has now escaped into the wild” and was specifically designed by Us/Israel to sabotage Iranian cyclones – none of our theories could be wilder than that could they?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuxnet
There we are (see my CNN link above).
Abbas Yazdi had been the money launderer for the French Total/Elf bribery case (hello Mr.X! ), too. And now he is assumingly dead (like al Hilli ).
The Justice Department said Total paid $60 million in bribes to a government official in Iran between 1995 and 2004 in an effort to secure oil and gas development rights in the country. Total funneled the money to the official via “consulting agreements” with intermediaries.
Total acknowledged that the allegations from the Department of Justice are “true and accurate,” according to the deferred-prosecution agreement, but said it “reaffirms that it has not committed any offense under applicable French law.””In the event of a trial, Total and its chief executive for the Middle East at the time will argue that the behavior that they are accused of was completely legal under French law,” Total said in a statement to French news agency AFP.De Margerie formerly served as president of Total’s Middle East operations.The Justice Department said Total paid $60 million in bribes to a government official in Iran between 1995 and 2004 in an effort to secure oil and gas development rights in the country. Total funneled the money to the official via “consulting agreements” with intermediaries.”Total mischaracterized the unlawful payments as ‘business development expenses’ when they were, in fact, bribes designed to corruptly influence a foreign official,” the DOJ said.Total reaped more than $150 million in profits as a result of the bribes, according to the SEC.The charges in the U.S. case will be dismissed after three years provided Total adheres to terms of the deferred-prosecution agreement, including the implementation of an enhanced compliance program and the appointment of an independent monitor.U.S. officials have stepped up enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in recent years.Germany’s Siemens paid $800 million to the DOJ and SEC as part of a global bribery case in 2008. Halliburton and KBR paid $579 million in 2009 in connection with bribery allegations in Nigeria, while the United Kingdom’s B.A.E. paid $400 million to the DOJ in 2010 after being accused of making false statements about its anti-corruption efforts to U.S. authorities.CNN’s Carol Cratty contributed reporting from Washington.By James O’Toole, May 29, 2013: 04:33 PM ETRelatedDonations for Oklahoma top $20 million Women snag big chunk of new oil jobs GE jumps on shale bandwagon – Video Settings Go to topView Full site
Total CFO Patrick de La Chevardière said in a statement that the company “look[s] forward to continuing our work and… demonstrating our strong commitment to ensuring ethical and legal compliance with laws around the world.”
The Larijani/Rafsanjani mafia in Iran and Abbas Yazdi.
Note the Swedish account used for money laundering!
In June 2012, more than 12 confidential letters were leaked to an Iranian opposition website, Bamdadkhabar, which showed how Javad Larijani had taken over public lands in over two decades. Based on the confidential letters received by Bamdadkhabar, the Larijani family illegally took possession of some 342 hectares (845 acres) of public lands in the outskirts of the city of Varamin and used the lands for keeping livestock (900 sheep and 200 camels). These documents show public lands were illegally confiscated by Javad and Sadegh Larijani.[6] However, all the letters issued by the Bureau of Natural Resources and the local court orders to take action against Javad Larijani have been ignored or dismissed.Also, the family members of Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who is a cleric and a former President of Iran have been involved in a number of large financial briberies since the revolution. During 2002/2003, officials at the big Norwegian company Statoil paid more than $15 million in “consulting fees” to Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of the five children of Rafsanjani. Statoil secured lucrative oil contracts by bribing Mehdi. This was achieved by using a front company named Horton Investment that had been set up by Mehdi. Statoil paid $15.2 million to Horton to win contracts to develop the offshore platforms in the South Pars gas field phases 6, 7 and 8.[7]
Mehdi had also accepted bribes from the French Oil Company Total when the company signed the South Pars gas field, phase 1 contract with Iran in 1997. Mehdi at that time was president of Iran Gas Company.In what was revealed in 2007, Christophe de Margerie, the head of the French oil company Total was arrested on the charge that his company had bribed Mehdi Hashemi-Rafsanjani to get lucrative oil contracts. [8] The investigators found that 95 million Swiss Francs ($78 million) went into two accounts in Swedish banks, which belonged to a person acting as the mediator between Total and Mehdi Rafsanjani .
Total deposited the money to the account of Bijan Dadfar who was an Iranian living in Switzerland working for Mehdi.[9]Like the Larijani brothers, the former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and his family members have good relations with the British. For example, Rafsanjani’s son, Mehdi ,took sanctuary in London for a while before he returned to Iran in September 2012.
The following names and locations occur in articles mentioning Abbas Yazdi
(Looks like an al Hilli clone)
Abbas Yazdi 100.00% (14)Bijan Dadfar 57.14% (8)Neil Macbride 50.00% (7)William Hague 21.43% (3)Atena Yazdi 21.43% (3)Mehdi Hashemi 14.29% (2)Seyed Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabayee 14.29% (2)Olav Fjell 14.29% (2)Ali Akbar Salehi 14.29% (2)Akban Rafsanjani 7.14% (1)Hashemi Rafsanjani 7.14% (1)Carol Cratty 7.14% (1)Cahal Milmo Cahal Milmo 7.14% (1)Ralph Lauren 7.14% (1)Akbar Rafsanjani 7.14% (1)Mehdi Rafsanjani 7.14% (1)Reza A 7.14% (1)Akbar Hashemi
Margerie, RhoneAlpes, France 57.14% (8)Washington, District Of Columbia, United States 57.14% (8)Paris, RhoneAlpes, France 50.00% (7)Dubai, Dubayy, United Arab Emirates 21.43% (3)London, London, City Of, United Kingdom 21.43% (3)Tehran, Tehran, Iran 21.43% (3)Fujairah, Al Fujayrah, United Arab Emirates 14.29% (2)Mehdi, Khuzestan, Iran 7.14% (1)Fars, (Ir30), Iran 7.14% (1)
https://www.duedil.com/director/905092842/bijan-dadfar
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article34145.htm
This is quite interesting regarding the Larijani brothers who obviously sre MI6 assets.
They are Iraqis and they grew up in Najaf (like the al Hillis). We remember that Ayatollah Hajj Sheikh Husayn al Hilli was together with Ayatollah al Khoei the religious and juridisctional leader in Najaf at this time, teacher of Ayatollah al Sistani and obviously teacher of the Larijani brothers, too.
That bribery stuff with MI6 obviously involved is getting more and more significant.
Lets be clear about this.(1) They were NOT born in Iran. In fact they were born in Najaf, Iraq. They are Iraqi – by every measure.(2) Their mother was Iraqi. While their father was Misrza Hashem Amoli – who was a Shia cleric, originally born in Larijan – he moved to Iraq as a young mand and lived there for over 30 years — where he married an Iraqi Arab Woman – had kids – the kids went to school there, learnt to speak Arabic First (not Persian). They were born AND BREAD in Iraq.(3) The plot gets thicker. Mirza Hashem Amoli (and his family) were part of a shia cleric group in Iraq, that was financially supported by the British managed Fund like the Aliman fund in India for his day-to-day expenses. (You have to ask yourself, how did they live and send their kids to school … I mean who paid for Mohamad-Javad to go to UC Berkely? Where did Sadegh get his religious credentials (Najaf)? How did they afford it all??) FOLLOW THE MONEY!!(4) Why is it that all the brothers are strategically placed in key roles throughout the regime – like a Mafia. There are five brothers, two of whom sit at the very top of two of the three branches of government. Ali Larijani is the Speaker of the Majles, whileSadegh Larijani is the new chief of the judiciary. A third brother, Mohammad Javad (Ardeshir) has been an important conservative ideologue who was deputy for international affairs to Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, Sadegh Larijani’s predecessor. A fourth brother, Dr. Mohammad Bagher Larijani, is the head of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and a one time deputy health minister. Until two years ago, the fifth brother, Fazel Larijani, was Iran’s cultural attache to Canada.
http://iranian.com/main/blog/ayatoilet1/larijani-brothers-are-not-even-iranian.html
Note the timing! Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani returned to Iran in September 2012 (!!) after he had searched sanctuary in London for more than 3 years. He had used Abbas Yazdi as his money launderer in Iranian bribery. Abbas Yazdi has assumingly been killed as per yet.
Baztab has posted a video of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani biding goodbye to his son, Mehdi Hashemi, before he is taken to Evin prison. The controversial ex-President’s son returned after a three year absence, after being accused of playing an important role in stoking the protests and unrest, commonly referred to as “the sedition” in official literature, which followed Iran’s 2009 presidential election, as well as numerous charges of corruption.
For the last three years Hashemi has been living in between London and Dubai, and various rumours had been circulating of when he might decide to return to Iran. The Iranian authorities on numerous occasions had also expressed their intent to pursue the case against Hashemi in the event of his return.The release of this video of Rafsanjani embracing his son before he leaves for Evin prison is an attempt to humanise this “aqazadeh” (noble born, the term used for the sons of powerful clerics in the political establishment) and most likely arouse sympathy for Mehdi Hashemi, after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his administration has long sought to tap into populist resentment at what many Iranians have come to see as an entitled class of elite children, who have aggrandized themselves politically and above all economically from their fathers’ power and patronage.Aftab News, close to former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, has posted a letter from the latter’s 1986 memoir in which he refers to his son Mehdi, who was arrested yesterday on a whole raft of charges, contending “more than my child, you are a child of the revolution”.Similarly, Rafsanjani’s reaction to his son’s arrest has been posted on numerous outlets stating, “my children are like other people’s children and there is no difference between my children and the people’s children”.Rafsanjani has been widely accused of nepotism by the Iranian and foreign-based Persian media for decades. Such statements are likely attempts to distance himself from such accusations and dispel this deep-seated image of the former President and incumbent head of the Expediency Discernment Council.
Need help!
Is somebody with good English and some fantasy helpful enough to “translate” the below blog post from an iranian blog that i had posted ( including the link) yesterday?
Particularly the second part starting with the “billions” i cannot really understand. In there could perhaps be seen a solution of riddles. The first part of the post refers to the arrest of Rafsanjani’s daughter and son (who was released pretty soon thereafter)
Justicefornone, 23 September 2012 , 20:30
For being in the top positions in the future of countries like Iran spending time in prison is one of the requirements, so there must be plan to put her on higher position than former MP. As far as her beloved brother Mehdi is concern, just google : Horton Investment’s owner Abbas Yazdi,(Abbas Yazdanpanah Yazdi) who introduced Statoil to Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani. the 2 been spending much of the Past few years in Dubai, spending and investing part of the $15.2 million consultancy contract signed in 2002 with Horton. But in a country that 28 billion dollars in gold and cash dollar reaches another country and 3 billions of dollars find her way to Canada, and no one has a right to question the Money that is generated in Khorasan Razavi, then everything is possible for people with connection in higher echelon and the illuminated Town (Madineye Monavvareh) is the dreams of fools that are seeking Justice, in a system that Lies are the stone head of its foundation. Do not give my name to them.
What kind of money (billions) is generated in the Khorasan Razavi province? What does he mean?
That province is a border province to Afghanistan. There is nothing to make money and there is hardly any industry.
Drug smuggling money?
Madineye Monavvareh
Emel Madinehe Monavvareh
or spelled in Farsi:
Emel Makkehe Mokkarameh
That seems to be an author who writes Farsi books. Obviously he is relating to one of his books regarding that “illuminated town”. We wont know about what he’s talking unless we’d meet a Farsi expert.
Interesting stuff. Was al Hilli on that list?
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/14/obama-secret-kill-list-disposition-matrix
Obama’s secret kill list – the disposition matrix
The euphemisms of counter-terrorism
When contemplating the euphemisms that have slipped into the lexicon since 9/11, the adjective Orwellian is difficult to avoid. But while such terms as extraordinary rendition, targeted killing and enhanced interrogation are universally known, and their true meanings – kidnap, assassination, torture – widely understood, the disposition matrix has not yet gained such traction.Since the Obama administration largely shut down the CIA’s rendition programme, choosing instead to dispose of its enemies in drone attacks, those individuals who are being nominated for killing have been discussed at a weekly counter-terrorism meeting at the White House situation room that has become known as Terror Tuesday. Barack Obama, in the chair and wishing to beseen as a restraining influence, agrees the final schedule of names. Once details of these meetings began to emerge it was not long before the media began talking of “kill lists”. More double-speak was required, it seemed, and before long the term disposition matrix was born.
In truth, the matrix is more than a mere euphemism for a kill list, or even a capture-or-kill list. It is a sophisticated grid, mounted upon a database that is said to have been more than two years in the development, containing biographies of individuals believed to pose a threat to US interests, and their known or suspected locations, as well as a range of options for their disposal.
we’re not going to end up in 10 years in a world of everybody holding hands and saying ‘we love America'”, there needed to be a recognition that “we can’t possibly kill everyone who wants to harm us
Some individuals whose names were entered into the matrix, and who were roaming around Somalia or Yemen, would continue to face drone attack when their whereabouts become known. Others could be targeted and killed by special forces. In a speech in May, Obama suggested that a special court could be given oversight of these targeted killings.
As the Obama administration’s tactics became more variegated, the British authorities co-operated, of course, but also ensured that the new rules of the game helped to serve their own counter-terrorism objectives.
Berjawi and Sakr both travelled to Somalia after claiming that they were being harassed by police in the UK, and were then stripped of their British citizenship. Several months later they were killed.
Mahdi Hashi was five years old when his family moved to London from Somalia. He returned to the country in 2009, and took up arms for al-Shabaab in its civil war with government forces. A few months earlier he had complained to the Independent that he been under pressure to assist MI5, which he was refusing to do. Hashi was one of a few dozen young British men who have followed the same path: in one internet video clip, an al-Shabaab fighter with a cockney accent can be heard urging fellow Muslims “living in the lands of disbelief” to come and join him. It is thought that the identities of all these men are known to MI5.