Iran's Khamenei grants mass pardons to prisoners

TEHERAN — Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei agreed on Sunday to pardon or commute the sentences of tens of thousands of prisoners, including those arrested during the recent demonstrations in the country.

The pardon was proposed by Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the victory of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, which falls on Saturday, according to the leader's website.

In his letter to Khamenei requesting the pardon, Mohseni-Ejei said a number of Iranian individuals, particularly the youths, were deceived by the "enemies' propaganda and inductions" and perpetrated "incorrect acts and crimes", which caused trouble for themselves and their families and acquaintances.

"During recent events, a number of people, especially young people, committed wrong actions and crimes as a result of the indoctrination and propaganda of the enemy," he wrote.

"Since the foreign enemies and anti-revolutionary currents' plans have been foiled, many of these youths now regret their actions."

Among other things, Mohseni-Ejei also listed a number of preconditions the inmates need to meet before being pardoned. He said those who have conducted espionage on behalf of foreign intelligence services, or in direct contact with the agents of such services, or have committed murder should not be pardoned.

State news agency IRNA reported that those accused of "corruption on earth", a capital charge brought against some protesters, four of whom have been executed, would also not be pardoned.

"Naturally, those who do not express regret for their activities and not give a written commitment for not repeating those activities, will not be pardoned," state media reported citing deputy judiciary chief Sadeq Rahimi.

Iran's constitution grants the top leader the right to give clemency to eligible convicts who are recommended by the judiciary chief.

Protests erupted in Iran after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in a Teheran hospital on Sept 16, a few days after her collapse at a police station. Iran has accused the United States and some other Western countries of "inciting riots and supporting terrorists" in the country.

Xinhua - Agencies