Iran releases 85000 prisoners from jails to stop spread of coronavirus

That's a great piece of news!

Yes, you're correct. In March 2020, Iran's judiciary announced that it would release around 85,000 prisoners from its jails to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This move was seen as a significant step to reduce the risk of infection within the country's overcrowded prisons.

The decision was made after Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called for measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus. The country's prisons were seen as a high-risk area due to the close living quarters and lack of proper sanitation.

The released prisoners were mostly non-violent offenders, including those serving sentences for drug-related crimes, theft, and other minor offenses. The move was seen as a humanitarian gesture to help reduce the spread of the virus and alleviate the burden on the country's prison system.

It's worth noting that Iran has been one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with over 1.5 million confirmed cases and over 60,000 deaths reported as of March 2023. The country's healthcare system has been severely strained, and the government has implemented various measures to try to slow the spread of the virus.

Overall, the release of 85,000 prisoners from Iran's jails was a significant step in the country's efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and well-being of its citizens.