Statistical study of the challenges facing Iran's criminal justice policy regarding economic crimes

Document Type : Scientific research

Authors

Maryam Beheshti Aghdam ¹

Hossein Aghababei ²

Mojtaba Janipour ²

¹ PhD Student in Criminal law and Criminology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

² Associate Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22067/economlaw.2026.95553.1489

Abstract

Introduction :Economic crimes, as one of the most serious threats to social justice and public trust, have consistently posed a major challenge to Iran’s criminal justice system. Owing to their complex nature, broad scope, and close connection with political and economic structures, these crimes require an efficient and specialized judicial criminal policy. Nevertheless, Iran’s judicial criminal policy faces various challenges that have reduced its effectiveness in preventing and combating economic crimes, thereby highlighting the growing necessity for a comprehensive review of legislative, judicial, and executive approaches. Purpose :It seeks to answer the question of what challenges Iran’s judicial criminal policy faces in dealing with economic crimes, and which of these challenges are of greater significance and more prevalent. Methodology :The present study is conducted using a qualitative methodology, employing questionnaires as the data collection instrument, with data analysis carried out through SPSS software and the Friedman ranking test. Findings :The findings indicate that, from the respondents’ perspectives, the challenges confronting Iran’s judicial criminal policy in relation to economic crimes encompass several major themes, including “challenges related to organization and structure,” “challenges related to the prosecutor’s office,” “challenges related to judicial officers,” among others. The most significant challenge identified by the respondents is the “politicization of criminal justice in confronting economic crimes.” Moreover, each of these challenges comprises related sub-challenges, all of which have been separately identified, analyzed, and examined in detail. Conclusion : In conclusion, it can be stated that Iran's judicial criminal policy regarding economic crimes faces multiple challenges, the most important of which is the 'politicization of criminal justice.' This problem reduces the efficiency of the judicial system and undermines public trust. Other challenges include structural issues, the institution of the public prosecutor's office, and judicial law enforcement officers (law enforcement agents). To improve the situation, a fundamental revision of approaches, reduction of the influence of political factors, and strengthening of specialized and transparent mechanisms are necessary.

Keywords

Judicial criminal policy

Economic crimes

Iranian criminal system

Criminal justice

Subjects

• Criminal Law and Criminology

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