Ebrahim Yazdi, the leader of the Freedom Movement of Iran, has disowned and denied statements attributed to him in an interview published by the state media, IRNA.
IRNA reports that on Tuesday, April 5 it received a letter from Ebrahim Yazdi saying: “I had clearly emphasized to IRNA officials that publishing any statements attributed to me can only be done after receiving my written permission.”
Yazdi goes on to write: “The only thing I had approved for publication was the fact that I am resigning from my position as the head of Freedom Movement Party.” IRNA noted that the media is in no way obligated to check with sources prior to publishing their statements.
IRNA has also published a number of photographs of Yazdi being interviewed and further emphasized the truth of its publishing.
IRNA interviewed Yazdi after his recent release from prison after six months in jail.
The published interview mentioned Yazdi’s resignation as leader of the Freedom Movement Party due to his fragile health. But it also included his criticism of opposition leader MirHosein Mousavi for rallying people to join street demonstrations; Yazdi is quoted as saying that undesirable forces who wanted to topple the regime had jumped on the protesters’ bandwagon.
Members of Yazdi’s family have also denied the veracity of contents of the published interview.
Abdolali Bazargan, an executive member of the Freedom Movement, told Rahesabz opposition website the interview is a “complete fabrication” meant to justify government actions. “Informed citizens are fully familiar with such government lies.”
