Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 13
By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Aug. 13 amnestied or commuted the sentences handed down to a number of Iranian prisoners, leader's official website reported.
Khamenei agreed to pardon or reduce the sentences of 705 inmates convicted by various Iranian courts on the occasion of the birthday of the eighth Shia Imam, Ali al-Ridha.
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.