Iranian authorities to release 3,000 prisoners

Iranian Supreme Court Chairman Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei announced on January 9 that 3,000 prisoners, including protesters, are about to be released from prison.

As TASS reports, his words were quoted by the agency Mehr.

“I thank my fellow judges who, in a short time, provided the necessary justification for the release from custody of almost 3,000 people across the country,” said the Chairman of the Supreme Court, speaking at a meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council. According to him, among them are activists who participated in the recent riots, who “repented and will be released.”

Mohseni-Ejei explained that the decision of the Iranian authorities is timed to coincide with the birthday of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, which will be celebrated on Friday, January 13. In Iran, this date is celebrated as Mother’s Day.

On December 28, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi accused the United States and Western countries of fueling anti-government protests in Iran by spreading rumors and disinformation. According to him, “the enemies of the Islamic revolution failed to achieve their goals and split the Iranian people.” Raisi promised that “all those who were deceived will be taken into the arms of the motherland, but there will be no mercy for traitors.”

On December 26, the Iranian prosecutor’s office reported that 83% of the demonstrators in Tehran who were detained by police and security forces were released by the authorities. The statement noted that “over the past three months, judges in charge of cases of rioters made 2,239 visits to prisons and conducted personal interviews with prisoners.”

According to a Saudi newspaper Asharq Al Awsat, during the anti-government unrest that swept Iran since mid-September last year, killed 516 activists and 67 security officials. Rallies and marches covered about 160 cities and towns. Their participants called for democratic changes, condemned the repressions of the authorities and demanded the release of those arrested. In total, since mid-September, 19.2 thousand activists have been detained in Iran, according to the publication.