Iran’s Supreme Leader Grants Clemency to 139 Prisoners Sentenced to Death

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has approved a proposal to commute the death sentences of 139 prisoners convicted by various courts across the country.

The pardon was issued following a request from Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei.

Iranian Judiciary spokesperson Ali Asghar Jahangir said the clemency was granted on the basis of Islamic compassion, noting that the move comes at a time when many countries decline to offer pardons during periods of war and crisis.

He stressed that prisoners convicted of undermining national security, as well as those involved in foreign-backed unrest during the January riots and acts of sabotage, were excluded from the amnesty list.

Under Article 110 of Iran’s Constitution, the Supreme Leader has the authority to pardon or reduce sentences upon the recommendation of the head of the Judiciary.

The clemency does not extend to individuals convicted of armed insurrection against the state, organized or armed drug trafficking, armed robbery, arms smuggling, kidnapping, bribery, or embezzlement.