demonstrations
Iran’s religious leader pardons tens of thousands of prisoners
Iran Supreme Spiritual Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
© Iranian supreme leader office / DPA
According to Iranian state media, the head of state, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is said to have pardoned tens of thousands of prisoners. But there are conditions.
Iran’s religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned tens of thousands of prisoners, according to state media. The move came on the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, state television announced. The pardons therefore included reduced detention and amnesties. The state agency IRNA reported that demonstrators arrested during the latest wave of protests were also affected by the decision.
According to the IRNA, the pardons came at the suggestion of the head of justice, Gholam-Hussein Mohseni-Edschehi, who had recently taken a hard line against demonstrators.
More than 500 demonstrators were killed during the protests, and around 20,000 were imprisoned according to estimates by human rights activists. The judiciary was criticized after carrying out death sentences against demonstrators in the country and internationally.
The pardons are conditional, IRNA said. Among other things, no prisoners who are accused of espionage will be forgiven. Murder, damage or arson to government or military facilities also rule out clemency.
Iran’s political leadership has been under enormous pressure since the nationwide protests broke out in mid-September. Triggered by the death of the Iranian Kurd Jina Mahsa Amini in police custody, Tehran plunged into the worst political crisis in decades. The 22-year-old was arrested almost five months ago for violating Islamic dress codes.
On February 11, the Islamic Republic celebrates its 44th anniversary. In February 1979, the monarchy in Iran was overthrown after the return of Ruhollah Khomeini from exile in Paris. Saturday’s celebrations mark the tenth day after Khomeini’s arrival in the capital, Tehran. Khamenei took office as political and religious leader in 1989. The 83-year-old has the last word in all strategic matters.