Ayatollah Grants Prisoners Amnesty

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has granted amnesty to 1,482 prisoners to mark the birthday of the founder of Shiite Islam, Tehran television reported Sunday.

It did not say whether the pardon covered political prisoners. Previous amnesties excluded opponents of the government.

The television report said pardons and reduced sentences had been granted on the recommendation of Ayatollah Mohammed Yazdi, the head of the judiciary.

On Monday, Iran celebrates the birthday of the 7th century Caliph, Imam Ali, whose followers founded the Shiite sect. The majority of Iranians are Shiites.