Iran’s leader grants clemency to 2,654 inmates, including foreign nationals

TEHRAN, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has agreed to pardon or commute the sentences of 2,654 inmates in the country, including 30 foreign nationals and 53 convicted on security charges, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The leader granted the clemency on the occasions of Eid al-Adha, one of the most important holidays for Muslims across the world, and Eid al-Ghadir, a significant holiday celebrated by Shiite Muslims, IRNA quoted Iran’s Deputy Judiciary Chief Sadeq Rahimi as saying.

After being approved by Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, a list of inmates who were eligible for receiving clemency was submitted to the leader, added Rahimi.

The inmates were convicted in the country’s public and Islamic Revolution courts, the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces, and the State Discretionary Punishment Organization.

Rahimi said 29 of those whose sentences were commuted had been sentenced to death, adding their sentences had been reduced to jail terms.

Iran’s leader regularly grants clemency to prisoners on special occasions as per a right given to him by Article 110 of the country’s constitution.