Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                   Ahmadinejad Criticizes Aide's Election Ban

   Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is speaking out in defense of a
   close aide whom authorities have barred from running in next month`s
   presidential election.
   Iran`s interior ministry said Tuesday the Guardian Council of clerics
   and jurists excluded Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei and former president
   Hashemi Rafsanjani from the list of approved candidates.
   Mr. Ahmadinejad described Mashaei on Wednesday as righteous, capable
   and beneficial for the country, and said the aide is a victim of
   injustice.
   The president pledged in comments on his website to take up the issue
   with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and he expressed hope it
   will be resolved.
   Mr. Ahmadinejad and his aides have fallen out of favor with
   ultraconservatives in Iran after years of power struggles with the
   country`s ruling clerics.
   Ultraconservatives loyal to Ayatollah Khamenei strongly opposed the
   potential candidacies of both Mashaei and Rafsanjani. Loyalists
   dominate the list of eight approved candidates.
   Iran`s constitution bars Mr. Ahmadinejad from seeking a third term in
   office.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/ahmadinejad-criticizes-aides-election
   -ban/1665834.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/ahmadinejad-criticizes-aides-election-ban/1665834.html