Ayatollah Khamenei grants clemency to Iranian convicts

Rasa – The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 700 eligible Iranian convicts.

News ID: 422690

Date: 13 August 2016 - 19:35

RNA – On Saturday, Ayatollah Khamenei pardoned or commuted sentences of 705 prisoners found guilty by various Iranian courts.

The pardon was granted at the request of the country’s Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli-Larijani on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam al-Ridha, the eighth Shi’a Imam whose shrine is in Iran.

Iran’s Constitution grants the Leader the right to pardon, reduce or replace the sentences of convicts upon a recommendation from the Judiciary chief.

The clemency, however, does not apply to several 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.

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