Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 3
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared an amnesty on the eve of the Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) and Eid al-Ghadeer -two religious holidays- in the country.
Khamenei has pardoned or commuted prison terms of 630 convicts sentenced by various Iranian courts, the supreme leader's official website reported on Oct. 3.
The head of Iran's judiciary Sadiq Amoli Larijani appealed to the Supreme Leader with a letter in which he asked for pardon and reduced sentences of some convicts of military, civil and revolutionary courts.
The supreme leader signed a relevant decree. Iran's Constitution grants him the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon the recommendation of the judiciary chief.
Amnesties and reduced prison terms are granted mainly on occasions marking religious and national festivals in Iran.