Iran: Thousands of Prisoners Reportedly Pardoned

Thousands of prisoners are being pardoned in Iran, reports the country's controlled media.

» Published: September 20 2024

Iran: Thousands of Prisoners Reportedly Pardoned
Photo: Ayatollans kansli via AP/TT

Share this article

In total, it concerns almost 2,900 prisoners – some who have been completely pardoned and some who have received mitigated sentences, according to a decision attributed to the country's highest leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. No names have yet been announced.

59 prisoners who have been sentenced to death have had their sentences converted to prison sentences, according to these reports.

The group also includes around 40 people who have been convicted of corresponding crimes against national security. 40 of the affected prisoners are described as foreign citizens.

Last summer, the Swedish Foreign Ministry was aware of four Swedish citizens being held in prison in Iran. One of them is the death-sentenced Swedish-Iranian researcher Ahmadreza Djalali, who worked at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

Iran does not normally recognize dual citizenship.

In June, two Swedes, Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi, were released as part of a prisoner exchange with Iran. In exchange, Sweden chose to release Hamid Noury, who was convicted of war crimes and complicity in the murder of thousands of political prisoners.

Iran's Ayatollah usually releases prisoners to demonstrate a kind of mercy in connection with religious holidays. On Saturday, the Prophet Muhammad's birthday will be celebrated.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Thailand Prime Minister Resigns After Court Conviction
1 MIN READ

Thailand Prime Minister Resigns After Court Conviction

Israel Excluded from UK's DSEI Arms Fair in 2025
1 MIN READ

Israel Excluded from UK's DSEI Arms Fair in 2025

EU Ministers Criticize Putin Amid Talks on Ukraine Security
1 MIN READ

EU Ministers Criticize Putin Amid Talks on Ukraine Security

Trump's Bruised Hand Sparks Health Speculation
2 MIN READ

Trump's Bruised Hand Sparks Health Speculation

BBC Investigation Reveals Nasser Hospital Hit Four Times in Gaza Attack
2 MIN READ

BBC Investigation Reveals Nasser Hospital Hit Four Times in Gaza Attack

Thailand Awaits Verdict on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
3 MIN READ

Thailand Awaits Verdict on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra

Wife of South Korea's Ex-President Yoon Suk-Yeol Faces Charges
1 MIN READ

Wife of South Korea's Ex-President Yoon Suk-Yeol Faces Charges

USA Approves $7.8 Billion Weapons Package for Ukraine
1 MIN READ

USA Approves $7.8 Billion Weapons Package for Ukraine

Retrial Ordered for Former Officers in Tyre Nichols Case
1 MIN READ

Retrial Ordered for Former Officers in Tyre Nichols Case

Shooter Fires 120 Rounds in Minneapolis Church, Killing Two Children
2 MIN READ

Shooter Fires 120 Rounds in Minneapolis Church, Killing Two Children

Hungary Blocks Ukrainian Commander Over Oil Pipeline Dispute
1 MIN READ

Hungary Blocks Ukrainian Commander Over Oil Pipeline Dispute

Polish Air Force F16 Crash During Exercise Kills Pilot
1 MIN READ

Polish Air Force F16 Crash During Exercise Kills Pilot

Trump to Address UN General Assembly in New York
1 MIN READ

Trump to Address UN General Assembly in New York

Haiti Faces Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Escalating Violence and Instability
3 MIN READ

Haiti Faces Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Escalating Violence and Instability

Kyiv Struggles to Counter Escalating Russian Drone and Missile Attacks
2 MIN READ

Kyiv Struggles to Counter Escalating Russian Drone and Missile Attacks

UN Extends Lebanon Peacekeeping Mission Until 2027
1 MIN READ

UN Extends Lebanon Peacekeeping Mission Until 2027

Israeli Military Strikes Huthi Targets in Yemen's Capital Sanaa
1 MIN READ

Israeli Military Strikes Huthi Targets in Yemen's Capital Sanaa

Alligator Alcatraz Closure Plans Move Forward Amid Environmental Concerns
1 MIN READ

Alligator Alcatraz Closure Plans Move Forward Amid Environmental Concerns

Europe Moves to Reinstate UN Sanctions on Iran Over Nuclear Dispute
4 MIN READ

Europe Moves to Reinstate UN Sanctions on Iran Over Nuclear Dispute

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Faces New Sexual Harassment Allegations
2 MIN READ

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Faces New Sexual Harassment Allegations