Jakarta, IDM – Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered an amnesty to tens of thousands of people detained for taking part in anti-government protests over the past few months. The reduction in prison sentences can be given on a limited basis to those who meet certain criteria.
The limited amnesty was proposed by Iran’s head of judiciary Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.
“During recent events, a number of people, especially young people, committed wrong actions and crimes as a result of the indoctrination and propaganda of the enemy. Since the foreign enemies and anti-revolutionary currents’ plans have been foiled, many of these youth now regret their actions,” Ejei wrote, reported Reuters, Monday (6/2).
In the letter, Ejei emphasized that the demonstrators were not against Iran, but were misled by western propaganda. Thus, the amnesty is given so their future will not be affected by criminal records.
However, the amnesty does not apply to dual nationals, those convicted of offences carrying the death penalty, those who refuse to admit and regret their crimes, those deemed to have cooperated with foreign agents or those charged with committing acts of arson against government buildings.
Iran has been gripped by protests after the death of a young woman in the custody of the country’s morality police last September. Iranians from all walks of life demonstrated and demanded justice from the government, which resulted in massive arrests. According to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), as many as 20,000 people have been arrested and four executed. (bp)