Austrian newspaper Der Standard has uncovered connections between Ramin Mirfakhrai, a lawyer, and Iranian regime affiliates. He allegedly facilitated visa applications for Iranian officials and brokered financial deals through Blue River Holding GmbH, intending to circumvent international sanctions. Mirfakhrai’s claims of innocence are challenged by evidence of his involvement in a luxury car export deal linked to the IRGC.
An investigative report by the Austrian newspaper Der Standard has unveiled troubling connections between Ramin Mirfakhrai, a lawyer based in Vienna, and influential entities associated with the Iranian regime. While he is recognized for his involvement in the 2019 “Ibiza Affair,” documents now indicate that he was engaged in dubious activities related to Iran during that time.
Mirfakhrai is reported to have served as an intermediary for an Iranian-affiliated network in Vienna, assisting high-ranking Iranian officials with visa applications. This was facilitated through Blue River Holding GmbH, a company allegedly involved in helping Iranian elites circumvent international sanctions by gaining access to Europe. Documents further reveal Blue River’s attempts to create a financial system to bypass these sanctions.
His engagement with the Iranian regime extended to brokering financial arrangements. For instance, in 2021, Blue River pursued a €10 million bank loan for its ventures in Iran, with Mirfakhrai allegedly participating in discussions with former Austrian politicians. Records show that he reviewed financing conditions based on meeting notes from Blue River.
Additionally, the investigation indicates that Mirfakhrai was pivotal in arranging a luxury car export deal to Iran with Bentley, involving Zar Group, an Iranian company deeply tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Zar Group’s leadership has received endorsements from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, highlighting their significant influence.
Despite the evidence against him, Mirfakhrai asserts he is unaware of Blue River’s purported activities and claims no current affiliation with the company. However, his name recurs in internal documents, raising doubts about his assertions. This investigation illustrates how Iranian operatives leverage intermediaries in Europe to circumvent sanctions and broaden their influence.
The unsettling findings of this report point to a larger issue regarding Iran’s infiltration into European institutions under the guise of legitimate business operations, prompting critical questions about who within European governance is enabling Tehran’s agenda and the implications this has for democratic integrity and security.
The investigative report by Der Standard reveals Ramin Mirfakhrai’s questionable connections to Iranian regime affiliates and highlights a broader issue of Iranian influence within European political and economic frameworks. As Mirfakhrai denies wrongdoing, the evidence contradicts his claims, suggesting that Iranian operatives exploit intermediaries to bypass sanctions. This situation underscores significant concerns regarding the integrity of European institutions and the potential dangers posed by foreign influences.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
