Iran's supreme leader pardons Ahmadinejad adviser
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 May 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran's supreme leader pardons Ahmadinejad adviser, 7 May 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fab718528.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 07, 2012
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has pardoned an aide to President Mahmud Ahmadinejad who was arrested in 2011 on corruption charges.
Mohammad Sharif Malekzadeh's arrest last year came following his appointment as deputy foreign minister, an incident which led to impeachment threats against the head of the Foreign Ministry, Akbar Salehi.
Sharifzadeh, who is said to be close to controversial presidential Chief of Staff Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, resigned from his post amid the scandal.
He was recently appointed as an adviser to President Mahmud Ahmadinejad after serving a brief jail term.
Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Dolatabadi said on May 6 that Sharifzadeh's case was ready to be prosecuted when Khamenei granted him "clemency."
Based on reporting by Mehr and RFE/RL's Radio Farda
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
