Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has visited his press aide, Ali Akbar Javanfekr, who was recently given a furlough from Evin Prison at a hospital, amidst rumours that Javanfekr may be released.
IRNA reported on the meeting between Ahmadinejad and Javanfekr on Sunday December 23, adding that Ahmadinejad was given a report by the doctors on Javanfekr’s health.
Javanfekr has also been visited by other senior government officials such as vice president Mohammadreza Rahimi, presidential aide Esfandiar Rahim Mashai and Tehran Governor Morteza Tamaddon.
Ali Akbar Javanfekr was sentenced to six months in prison and a three-year ban from journalistic activity for “publishing articles against Islamic principles and public decency.”
Javanfekr was the head of the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), and his sentencing appears to be part of an ongoing dispute between the Ahmadinejad administration and the other branches of the government.
Javanfekr’s lawyer has announced that he has filed a request for a pardon in view of Javanfekr’s health complications. Javanfekr has already served half of his sentence.
The Iran Prosecutor also reported last Monday that Ahmadinejad has written to the Supreme Leader regarding Javanfekr, and Ayatollah Khamenei has reportedly agreed to extend him a pardon.
