Large Number of Prisoners to Be Granted Clemency for Ruby Jubilee of Iran’s Revolution
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s top judge said Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei would grant amnesty to a large group of prisoners on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution’s victory.
In a meeting with senior judicial officials on Thursday, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani said the good news for the Iranian prisoners is that Ayatollah Khamenei is expected to agree to grant amnesty “based upon a broader criteria” than the past on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
“significant number of prisoners will be granted clemency, God willing,” he added.
The top judge noted though that the exceptions included in the previous amnesties will be again taken into account in the upcoming clemency.
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 certain types of convicts, including those who have been sentenced for their role in the armed struggle against the country, armed or organized drug trafficking, armed robbery, arms smuggling, abduction, bribery, and embezzlement.
The Iranian nation toppled the West-backed Pahlavi regime in February 1979, ending 2,500 years of monarchic rule in the country.
The Islamic Revolution victory, seen as the most important milestone in Iran’s recent history, liberated the country from the yoke of the hegemonic powers --with the ousted Shah as their stooge-- and established a new political system based upon Islamic values and democracy.
