Upon the decree by Ayatollah Khamenei, 2,187 prisoners found guilty by various Iranian courts were pardoned or their sentences have been commuted.
The pardon was granted at the request of the country’s Judiciary Chief Hojat-ol-Islam Seyed Ebrahim Raeisi.
Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world. The observance traditionally begins with the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the Eid falls on May 13 in Iran.
Article 110 of the Constitution grants the Leader the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon a recommendation from the head of the Judiciary.
The clemency, however, does not apply to all types of convicts, including those who have been sentenced for their role in armed struggle against the country, armed or organized drug trafficking, rape, armed robbery, arms smuggling, abduction, bribery and embezzlement.