Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has pardoned or reduced the sentences of 2,887 prisoners, including foreign nationals and individuals convicted of anti-state crimes. This was reported on Friday by the state-run IRNA news agency.
The mass pardon follows a proposal by Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeh, and coincides with the birthday celebration of Prophet Mohammed, which will be marked on Saturday. Khamenei regularly pardons prisoners to commemorate significant religious and national occasions.
Among those granted clemency, 39 had been convicted of anti-state offenses, while 40 foreign nationals were also pardoned. In addition, the death sentences of 59 individuals were commuted to prison terms, though no further details were provided regarding the specific nature of their crimes or the countries of the foreign nationals involved.
This move comes as part of a broader tradition in Iran, where the country’s highest authority occasionally issues pardons or commutations to prisoners during religious holidays or anniversaries.
Khamenei, who holds ultimate power in all state matters, has previously used such gestures to signal leniency and mercy during these occasions.