Chai Dabash scandal and clash with Raisi government
Reports said Ejei publicized the multi-billion-dollar Chai Dabash tea import case and claimed the Raisi government dismissed 60 offenders without referring them to the judiciary, highlighting hardliner splits; later court coverage named scores of defendants.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- Inspection Organization discloses multi-billion tea import scandal - Radio Farda and Iran International reported Inspection chief Zabihollah Khodaian said a group received about $3.37 billion in preferential forex for tea and machinery from 2019-2022 and sold a large share on the free market; some outlets cited a $3.7 billion figure. فساد ۳/۷ میلیارد دلاری؛ اژهای: تخلف گروه دبش از سال ۹۸ شروع شده است
- Ejei: 60 dismissed offenders not referred to judiciary - Radio Farda, VOA Persian and Iran International reported Ejei at Mohaghegh Ardabili University named Chai Dabash, said the government claimed 60 dismissals without judicial referral, called heavy 2021-22 forex allocation improper, and linked the agriculture minister's resignation to the case. محسنی اژهای: دولت رئیسی هیچ مدیر متخلفی را در پرونده فساد واردات چای معرفی نکرده است
- Chai Dabash trial opens; Ejei had cited $3.7 billion - BBC Persian reported hearings began in a 61-defendant case including banking and state officials. The report recalled Ejei's earlier figure of about $3.7 billion and noted ministry-linked defendants in the indictment; some defendants were absent. چای دبش؛ آغاز رسیدگی به یکی از بزرگترین پروندههای فساد در ایران در غیاب برخی متهمان