Hamid Baghaei

Hamid Baghaei (Persian: حميد بقایی) is an Iranian conservative politician and former intelligence officer^[1] who is considered one of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's closest confidants.^[3] He first entered the administration in 2006 as deputy of Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei in the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization. In 2011, he simultaneously held the position of vice president in charge of executive affairs and supervised the presidential administration.^[4]

Hamid Baghaei
Baghaei in 2011
Supervisor of Presidential Administration of Iran
In office 9 April 2011 – 3 August 2013
President	Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Preceded by	Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei
Succeeded by	Mohammad Nahavandian
Vice President of Iran for Executive Affairs
In office 9 April 2011 – 4 August 2013
President	Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Preceded by	Ali Saeedlou
Succeeded by	Mohammad Shariatmadari
Vice President of Iran Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization
In office 17 July 2009 – 19 May 2011
President	Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Preceded by	Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei
Succeeded by	Ruhollah Ahmadzadeh
Personal details
Born	1968 or 1969 (age 55–56)[1] Hamedan, Iran[1]
Political party	Sweet Scent of Service (2006–2009)[2]

Misuse of public funds

In June 2015, Baghaei was arrested.^[4] In 2017, for the misuse of public funds while in office, he was sentenced to 63 years in prison.^[5]

2017 presidential election

On 18 February 2017, Baghaei announced his candidacy in the 2017 Iranian presidential election as an 'independent’ candidate.^[6] but his bid was rejected.

References

1. "حمید بقایی، دومین معاون بازداشت‌شده احمدی‌نژاد کیست؟". BBC Persian. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
2. Tehran Prosecutor Confirms Hikers' Sentences, Tehran Bureau, 20 August 2011, retrieved 11 December 2016, There has also been much discussion about whether there is any link between the Front and Mashaei. Conservative Majles deputy Hamid Reza Katouzian said that the Front is the same as Raayeheh-e Khosh-e Khedmat (RKK, or the Sweet Scent of Service), a pro-Ahmadinejad group that was active from 2006 to 2009. Katouzian added that Mashaei was the leader of the RKK and claimed that the behind-the-scenes leaders of the Front are Mashaei and Vice President for Executive Affairs Hamid Baghaei, another close and controversial Ahmadinejad aide.
3. Court Bans Vice President from Gov; Intel Ministry: CIA Spy Ring 'Smashed', Tehran Bureau, 21 May 2011, retrieved 11 December 2016
4. Former Ahmadinejad vice president arrested, Al-Monitor, 9 June 2015, retrieved 11 December 2016
5. "Iran sentences former vice president to 63 years in prison". www.ksl.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
6. Three Members of Ahmadinejad Cabinet Step in for Presidential Elections, Iranian Diplomacy, 20 February 2017, retrieved 20 February 2017

Political offices
Preceded by Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei	Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization 2009–2011	Succeeded by Ruhollah Ahmadzadeh
	Head of Presidential Administration of Iran 2011–2013	Succeeded by Mohammad Nahavandian as Chief of Staff
Vacant Title last held by Ali Saeedlou	Vice President of Iran for Executive Affairs 2011–2013	Succeeded by Mohammad Shariatmadari