Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei pardoned or commuted the prison terms of 631 convicts sentenced by Iranian courts. The pardon was granted on Wednesday, at the request of Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani on the occasion of the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Tasnim News Agency reported. Article 110 of the Constitution grants the Leader the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon the recommendation of the judiciary chief. The clemency does not apply to convicts of serious crimes such as armed struggle against the country, armed or organized drug trafficking, rape, armed robbery, arms smuggling, abduction, bribery and embezzlement. Each year in February, when Iran marks the anniversary of the revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei grants an amnesty for a number of prisoners. Iran celebrated the 38th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on Friday.
