Hojjatoleslam Abbas Amirifar (born 1957) is the prayer leader of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and head of the presidential cultural committee. He was arrested in May 2011 on charges of "sorcery", after he produced a controversial film predicting the imminent return of the Mahdi, (the title of which—Zohur Besyar Nazdik Ast—has been translated as "Appearance is Close!"). According to Radio Zamaneh, he was "referred to the Special Court for the Clergy for his involvement in the production and distribution" of the film, as well as for "disturbing public minds and insulting political groups and figures." The arrest is thought to be part of a dispute between the president and other conservatives, including the supreme leader. "At least 25" supporters of Ahmadinejad have been arrested in 2011, including Mohammed Sharif Malekzadeh and Kazem Kiapasha.
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References
- Iranian presidential aide arrested| guardian.co.uk| 20 May 2011
- ^ Ahmadinejad losing ground in Iran power struggle, analysts say | By Matt Smith | CNN | May 26, 2011
- Iran and the 'Arab Spring' by HOSSEIN BORUJERDI | www.pbs.org| 02 Jun 2011
- ^ Ahmadinejad supporter arrested by Iranian authorities| Source: Radio Zamaneh| 5/03/11
- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warns opponents against detaining ministers| Saeed Kamali Dehghan| guardian.co.uk, 29 June 2011
- Is president of Iran on the ropes?| By ALI REZA ESHRAGHI - The Institute for War & Peace Reporting| 19 July 2011
- "Abbas Amirifar released Wed after 40 dys in solitary, immediately rearrested by Special Clerical Court #Iran #Iranelection" Twitter / Persian Banoo: (Tweeted 16 June 2011). Abbas Amirifar,
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