DUBAI — Iran’s supreme leader has pardoned “tens of thousands”A number of prisoner, including those who were arrested during recent protests against the government, was reported by state news agency IRNA on Sunday. This report came after an egregious state crackdown that ended nationwide unrest.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did however approve the pardon. Details were revealed in reports by state media, which stated that it would not be applicable to Iranian dual nationals.
The state news agency IRNA stated that those being accused were “corruption on earth” — a capital charge brought against some protesters, four of whom have been executed — would also not be pardoned.
This would also apply to people charged with. “spying for foreign agencies”Or those “affiliated with groups hostile to the Islamic Republic”, state media reported.
Iran was swept by protests following the death of a young Iranian Kurdish woman in the custody of the country’s morality police last September. Participants came from every walk of Iranian life, making it one of the most challenging challenges for the Islamic Republic since 1979.
According to the HRANA activist news agency, about 20,000 people have been arrested in connection with the protests, which the authorities accused Iran’s foreign enemies of fomenting.
Over 500, according to rights organizations, were killed during the crackdown. This includes 70 minors. The Iranian judiciary claims that at least four individuals have been hanged.
In a letter to Khamenei requesting the pardon, judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said: “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.
Since the beginning of hangings, protests have been slowed down significantly.
“Since the foreign enemies and anti-revolutionary currents’ plans have been foiled, many of these youth now regret their actions,” Ejei wrote.
Khamenei granted pardons for the anniversary 1979 Islamic revolution.
For those who are not eligible, it would not apply. “facing charges of spying for foreign agencies, having direct contact with foreign agents, committing intentional murder and injury, (and) committing destruction and arson of state property.”
“Naturally, those who do not express regret for their activities and give a written commitment for not repeating those activities, will not be pardoned,”Sadeq Rahimi was deputy head of the judiciary. State media reported.
According to the Iran Human Rights Group, based in Norway, at least 100 protesters were facing possible death sentences.
Amnesty International has condemned Iranian authorities for their alleged inhumane practices. “sham trials designed to intimidate those participating in the popular uprising that has rocked Iran”.
Check out the complete article here