Khamenei pardons more than 2,000 prisoners for the Shiite holiday of Eid al Ghadir

The supreme leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, has declared a pardon for more than 2,000 prisoners in an amnesty on the occasion of the Shiite holiday of Eid al Ghadir, from which those convicted of attacking state security are excluded, either during the protests at the beginning of the year or during the war against the United States and Israel.

“Crimes against the security of the country are dealt with with complete determination, and these convicted people do not deserve any possibility of clemency or pardon,” said the deputy head of Iran’s Judiciary, Ali Mozzafari, in statements to state radio and television IRIB during the announcement of the amnesty.

The vast majority of amnesties will imply immediate release, according to the official announcement. Additionally, an unspecified number of inmates will have their sentences reduced.

The traditional Eid al Ghadir amnesty aims to project an image of judicial normality in the midst of the crisis with the United States and Israel while sending the message that Iran will have no quarter with anyone who has collaborated with its enemies, particularly since the outbreak of protests at the end of the year.

The demonstrations that began against the economic crisis ended up leading to riots and police repression that left more than 3,000 dead, according to the most conservative estimates published by the Iranian Government. Tehran accused the United States of fueling these protests and US President Donald Trump even confirmed that he had tried to send weapons to protesters through pro-Iran dissident groups.

During the war, Iran has announced numerous executions of those convicted of espionage, collaboration or threatening national security.