Iranian leader pardons prisoners

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has granted clemency or eased the sentences of some 996 prisoners, Iranian news agency Press TV reports.

The Leader on Tuesday agreed to a request by Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani to pardon some prisoners on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Imam Ali, who was the first Shia Imam.