Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei pardoned and commuted jail terms of a large number of eligible inmates.

The move was made on Monday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA) and on the eve of Norouz holidays.

The decree was issued at the request of the Judiciary Chief to pardon and commute prison terms of prisoners.

In a letter to the Supreme Leader, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani had proposed the pardoning and commuting prison terms of the inmates in accordance with his legal authorities and observing a series of conditions for the move.

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 Article does not apply to all types of convicts, especially those who have been sentenced for their role in armed struggle against the Islamic Republic, armed or organized drug trafficking, rape, armed robbery, arms smuggling, abduction, bribery and embezzlement.