More than 900 prisoners detained for “unintentional criminal acts” will be set free during the 10-day Dawn Festivities that mark the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. “At least three persons each in the 31 Iranian provinces will be released every day during the annual celebrations, in all numbering around 960,” said Asadollah Jolayi, chief of Iran’s Diah (blood money) Center, Mehr News Agency reported. The prisoners were convicted on various charges, including unpaid debts or sponsoring debtors whose checks bounced, but most are drivers involved in traffic mishaps and unable to meet their legal financial commitments. More than 5,000 detainees, against whom claims worth 4.3 trillion rials ($119 million) were made, have been exonerated since the beginning of the current Iranian year (ends March 19).
