Baku, Azerbaijan, March 29
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has agreed to pardon or reduce the sentences of a number of convicts on the eve of the Islamic Republic Day in the country.
IRNA news agency reported that Ayatollah Khamenei has agreed with the proposal of the head of judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani on amnesty.
Iran annually celebrates Farvardin 12, which falls on April 1 in normal years and March 31 in leap years, as the anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic Republic, referred to as the Islamic Republic Day. This year (started on March 20), Iran will mark the holiday on March 31.
Earlier, Ayatollah Amoli Larijani appealed to the Supreme Leader with a letter in which he asked for pardon or commuting the sentences of some convicts.
However, the report did not provide the number of pardoned convicts.
The supreme leader signed a relevant decree. Iran's Constitution allows the Supreme Leader 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.