The pardon was granted at the request of the country's Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani on the occasion of the birthday anniversary of Imam Ali (PBUH), the first Shiite Imam and the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Article 110 of the Constitution grants the Supreme Leader the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon a recommendation from the head of the Judiciary.
The clemency, however, does not apply to several types of convicts, 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.
