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Leader pardons, commutes sentences of number of inmates over Islamic festivity

Tuesday, 09 September 2025 3:09 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 09 September 2025 3:09 PM ]

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (Photo by Leader.ir)

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has pardoned or commuted the sentences of an unspecified number of Iranian prisoners on the eve of the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Ayatollah Khamenei on Tuesday agreed to a request by Iran’s Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei to pardon or reduce the sentences of a number of inmates eligible for parole or reduction of sentence.

The inmates had been convicted in the country’s public and Islamic Revolution courts, the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces, and the State Discretionary Punishment Organization.

The Iranian Judiciary chief’s letter clearly states that final verdicts against the prisoners must not be pronounced any time later than September 10, five years must have passed since the final rulings were handed down, and the sentences must not have been executed for specific reasons.

The individuals must not have taken any stance against the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, must not have undermined the national Iranian security, and must not have been engaged in any action against national unity.

Prisoners suffering from severe or incurable illnesses were also eligible for pardon, provided that their medical condition was confirmed by Iran's Legal Medicine Organization.

The clemency was granted on the eve of the birthday anniversaries of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Imam Ja’far Sadiq (AS), the sixth Shia Imam, which falls on Wednesday.

The Leader regularly issues such decrees on the occasion of religious festivities.

Article 110 of Iran’s Constitution grants the Leader the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of inmates upon a recommendation from the head of the Judiciary.

The clemency, however, does not apply to all types of prisoners, including those who have been sentenced for their role in armed struggle against the country, armed or organized drug trafficking, rape, armed robbery, arms smuggling, abduction, bribery, and embezzlement.

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