Iran Snapshot: The Charity Auction of Ahmadinejad's Car --- Surprise Ending!

For several months, EA has followed the story of President Ahmadinejad's 1977 Peugeot 504 being sold to raise funds for the Iranian welfare system. 

At the end of February, the vintage car reportedly sold for 25 billion rials (about $2.4 million) to a buyer "who wanted to remain anonymous". The head of Iran's Welfare Organisation said the winner had topped "more than half a million bidders [who] registered on the bidding website, with most saying they were doing so since President Ahmadinejad leads a simple life and because of his anti-arrogance and anti-Zionist stances". The lawyer for the buyer echoed, "My client bought the car because of a personal interest in President Ahmadinejad and his spirit of anti-arrogance and anti-Zionism." 

See also Iran Special Investigation: Why Did Ahmadinejad Give Away His Car?
Iran Breaking: Will You Make the Million-Dollar Bid for Mahmoud's Car?

And now the twist in the tale....

The conservative publication Farda News says that the mystery buyer owes thousands of dollars to Iran's banking system.

There is no further reference in the article to how this is reconciled with fund-raising for charity or even the "spirit of anti-arrogance and anti-Zionism".

The status of the Peugeot 504 is also unknown.