Iran often issues pardons to prisoners around the time of national and religious holidays, in accordance with Article 110 of Iran’s constitution. Sunday’s pardons come as the country marks the arrival of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Ghadir.
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, head of Iran’s judiciary system, requested Khamenei to pardon and commute the sentences of 2,654 inmates, according to IRNA, a request that the Supreme Leader approved.
At least 182 women, 30 foreign nationals, and six minors are among those granted amnesty.
Iran has been subjected to heavy criticism from the international community and rights groups for human rights violations and abuses in prisons, raising concerns about poor conditions, abuse of prisoners, and use of torture in the country’s penal system.
Amnesty International in April reported that at least 853 people were executed across Iran in 2023, with more than half of the executions carried out for drug-related offenses.
The number of executions last year increased by 48 percent compared to 2022, and also marked Iran’s highest execution rate since 2015.
