Hamid Baghaei


Hamid Baghaei is an Iranian politician and former intelligence officer who is considered one of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's closest confidants. 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 headed the presidential administration.

Arrest

In June 2015, Baghaei was arrested but his charges were not disclosed publicly.
He has been arrested again since July 2017.

2017 presidential election

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