Iran: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Forgives “Tens Of Thousands” Of Detainees On Conditions

The supreme leader of Iran has pardoned “tens of thousands” of detainees, including some who were detained during recent anti-government demonstrations, following a fatal state response that helped put an end to the uprising across the country, according to state news agency IRNA on Sunday.

According to information released in state media sources, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s pardon was conditional and would not apply to any of the numerous dual nationals detained in Iran.

The capital charge of “corruption on earth,” which was leveled against certain demonstrators and was the basis for four of their executions, will not be forgiven, according to state news agency IRNA.

According to state news agency IRNA, those charged with “corruption on earth”, a capital charge put on some demonstrators among whom four were executed, would also not be forgiven.

A state media reported, “Neither would it apply to those charged with “spying for foreign agencies” or those “affiliated with groups hostile to the Islamic Republic.”

Around 20,000 individuals have reportedly been detained in connection with the rallies, which the authorities claim were instigated by Iran’s foreign adversaries, according to the activist news agency HRANA.

According to rights organizations, the crackdown has resulted in approximately 500 deaths, including 70 juveniles. According to the Iranian judiciary, at least four people have been hanged.

The head of the court, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, wrote to Khamenei asking for his forgiveness, stating: “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.”

In his letter, he wrote, “Since the foreign enemies and anti-revolutionary currents’ plans have been foiled, many of these youths now regret their actions.”

Since the hangings started, protests have significantly decreased.

In honor of the anniversary of the Islamic revolution in 1979, Khamenei gave his approval to the pardons.

Those will not be pardoned who are “facing charges of spying for foreign agencies, having direct contact with foreign agents, committing intentional murder and injury, (and) committing destruction and arson of state property”.

According to a state media report, deputy judiciary chief Sadeq Rahimi said, “Naturally, those who do not express regret for their activities and give a written commitment for not repeating those activities, will not be pardoned.” 

This Thursday, the Iran Human Rights group, located in Norway, reported that at least 100 protestors in custody would get death sentences.

The Iranian government has come under fire from Amnesty International for conducting what it dubbed “fake trials intended to scare people engaging in the popular uprising that has shook Iran.”

Iran experienced a wave of unrest after a young Iranian Kurdish woman died while under the morality police’s care in September. It was one of the most audacious challenges to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution, with participation from Iranians from all walks of life.