70,000 Get Prison Furlough Amid Viral Outbreak

Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi said around 70,000 prisoners across the country have been granted leave in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Addressing a Monday session of the High Judicial Council, Raeisi said courts across the country have permitted the eligible inmates to get leave as part of precautionary measures to contain the epidemic, Tasnim News Agency reported.
He said prisoners with underlying illnesses have been prioritized in getting furlough, urging that more permissions for prison leave be granted while considering precautions to avoid social security harms.
The top judge also said courts are rapidly handling the cases involving hoarders of medical supplies amid the growing need for such goods, adding that court sessions prosecuting hoarders are being held out of turn.
In addition, Raeisi called on related officials to make up for shortcomings in the fight against coronavirus and immediately support the country’s medical staff “who are soldiers at the forefront” of the battle with the disease.