Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) and his deputy Mohammad Reza Rahimi[/caption]A former Iranian vice president has hit back at Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fornot supporting his ex-deputyin a corruption case against him.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court sentenced Mohammad Reza Rahimi, Iran's first vice president under former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to five years and three months in prison over corruption charges.
The court also ordered Rahimi to pay a 10-billion-rial(around USD369,000) fine.
A court of first instance had initially handed down a 15-yearprison sentenceto Rahimi, but the Supreme Court commuted the term.
Following the court verdict, Ahmadinejad issued a statement saying the charges against Rahimi have nothing to do with the previous administration as the accusations date back to the timebefore Rahimi was appointed as first vice-president.
In a letter issued on Tuesday, Rahimi reacted to Ahmadinejads equivocal statement, criticizingtheformerpresident forturning his back onhis deputy.
Rahimi said that he maintained friendship with former president for years, stressing that their differences of opinions over certain issues did not have an impact on their long-term relationship.
He said that he did his utmost to fulfill his duties and worked hard to improve relations between Ahmadinejads administration and the IranianParliament (Majlis).
Rahimi said that he was unwilling to take the post as the vice president due to certain political grudges aimed at tarnishing his reputation, and thathe was appointed to the position despite his reluctance.
Rahimi said he expected Ahmadinejad to confirm that his deputy has not betrayed the public purse.
Rahimi also said that he is paying the pricefor the two-time former presidents stubbornness and his acts to tarnish others' image,vowing topress ahead with his efforts to restore his reputation and prove his innocence.
Ahmadinejad has yet to comment on this.
By Press TV
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