Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, president of the ultra-conservative Islamic country that last week rounded up hundreds of women for not properly covering up, is accused of indecency for publicly embracing and kissing the hand of a former schoolteacher.

Ahmadinejad was photographed and filmed bowing to kiss the elderly woman's gloved hand and hugging her at a ceremony Tuesday ahead of Iran's teacher's day, prompting charges of indecency by the influential and hard-line Islamic newspaper Hezbollah.

The woman, who was not identified, wore thick black gloves, a headscarf and a long, black coat, meaning Ahmadinejad avoided any skin contact.

Critics, however, charge he violated Shariah law, which forbids a man to have physical contact with a woman with whom he is not related. Penalties vary for such an offense, ranging from stoning to death, usually depending on whether the man or woman is married. Ahmadinejad is married, and has two sons and a daughter.