 Rivlin's office however issued a statement on November 19, saying that the appeal had been rejected by him, adding that he had taken into account both the offences committed by Azaria and their circumstances.Another pardon appeal, this time by his parents, was turned down on 24 December by the President stating that a new request could be made only six months after the previous decision.Azaria began his prison term on 9 August at Prison Four.