Iranian president criticizes flogging of student
Iran's president has criticized the flogging of a student convicted of ridiculing him, saying high-profile political figures frequently criticize the government with impunity.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says in comments posted on his presidential website Tuesday that "when high-profile figures freely insult the government, I disapprove that a youth is flogged for insulting me." Peiman Aref, a student activist supporting the opposition, received 74 lashes on Sunday before leaving the prison where he had served a yearlong term. (AP)
