Iran Grants Clemency to 22,000 Protesters

The Iranian authorities have announced a clemency for 22,000 individuals detained due to protests in the country. This was reported by the Associated Press.

According to Gholamhossein Ejeyi, the head of Iran's judiciary, those accused of theft or violent crimes connected to the protests have not been granted clemency.

The AP notes that there is currently no independent confirmation that the detainees have actually been released. Iranian media and human rights defenders have not reported any instances of mass releases of activists from prisons in recent days.

Mass protests in Iran have been ongoing since September. They were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died shortly after being detained by the morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly. Initially, the protesters demanded gender equality, but their demands quickly expanded to include broad reforms and a change of regime.

The Iranian authorities have responded with extreme repression of the protests, including the use of military weapons. Tens of thousands of people have been detained; according to human rights activists, over 450 protesters have been killed during clashes with security forces. More than a hundred people may face the death penalty on various charges.