AP: An Iranian news website says a court has sentenced President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s press adviser to one year in prison on the charge of insulting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An Iranian news website says a court has sentenced President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s press adviser to one year in prison on the charge of insulting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Sunday report by Mashreghnews says Ali Akbar Javanfekr was banned for journalism activities for five years. The report does not specify what Javanfekr had allegedly said.
Khamenei has the final say on all matters of state.
Under the law Javanfekr can appeal in 20 days.
In November, Javanfekr received another one-year sentence for publishing material “contrary to Islamic norms.” He has not yet begun to serve the sentence.
The verdicts are seen as part of a power struggle between Ahmadinejad and his opponents ahead of March parliamentary elections.
