The World Briefly

March 14, 2023

Pardons and Poison

Iran

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Iran pardoned more than 82,600 people Monday, including tens of thousands who were arrested during the ongoing mass anti-government protests that have been the most serious challenge to the country’s ruling clerics since they took control during the 1979 revolution, Sky News reported.

The pardoned individuals, none of whom were accused of theft or a violent crime, also included around 22,000 people whom authorities arrested during the months-long demonstrations that swept Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

In September, Amini was detained by the morality police for allegedly violating Iran’s strict Islamic dress code. She died in custody.

Her death prompted numerous women-led rallies across the nation to protest the strict dress code, but soon evolved into large demonstrations against the Iranian government and ruling clerics.

Last month, Iranian authorities acknowledged they had arrested “tens of thousands” during the demonstrations. Analysts noted that Monday’s announcement meant that the number of detained individuals was higher than what advocate groups had previously suggested.

Human rights activists tracking the crackdown had estimated that more than 19,700 protesters had been arrested and at least 530 others killed.

Meanwhile, the pardons come as authorities recently detained more than 100 people in connection with the suspected poisonings of hundreds of schoolgirls across Iran, CNN added.

Since November, Iran has seen a wave of suspected poisonings carried out mainly at girls’ schools across the country.

While Iranian officials believe the girls were targeted by hardline Islamist groups, civil activists believe the poisonings are linked to the nationwide protests.

Many schoolgirls have participated in the protests, tearing up photos of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and calling for his death.

This story originally appeared in the March 14, 2023 newsletter, Coming Due.