TEHRAN, Iran���The Iranian tycoons Babak Zanjani and Reza Zarrab are now both finding themselves in dire straits. Zanjani, one of the most well-known magnates in Iran, has been sentenced to death for allegedly not paying back�money owed to the Oil Ministry from oil exports he arranged under the sanctions era. Zarrab, an Iranian-born businessman who only years ago was exonerated of alleged bribery, corruption and being involved in a�smuggling racket that involved several Turkish Cabinet members, is now in detention in the United States under money laundering charges, among other allegations. He was�arrested in Florida�on March�19 over an indictment filed in federal court in Manhattan.

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Amir Abbas Soltani, an Iranian lawmaker and a member of the parliamentary committee tasked with pursuing the Zanjani case, claims Zarrab traveled to the United�States�on purpose in order to get caught. Soltani said, �There is no difference between Zarrab and Zanjani. Plus, Zarrab is an important person, the key figure to this [Zanjani] corruption case.�

�Zarrab intentionally visited the US and surrendered himself based on a premeditated plan. Following Zanjani�s case in Iran, he sensed a lurking threat awaiting him. He thought he would be captured by Iranian officials if he stayed in Turkey,� Soltani told�Al-Monitor.

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This article was written by Rohollah Faghihi for Al-Monitor on May 9, 2016. Rohollah Faghihi is a journalist who has worked for various Iranian media organizations including the Entekhab news site.