Iran releases about 70,000 prisoners because of coronavirus: judiciary chief

A member of the medical team wears a protective face mask, following the coronavirus outbreak, as he sprays disinfectant liquid to sanitise a taxi station in Tehran, Iran. [Reuters]

Iran has released approximately 70,000 prisoners because of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, Iranian judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday, according to Mizan, the news site of the judiciary.

“The release of the prisoners, to the point where it doesn’t create insecurity in society ... will continue,” he said.

Raisi did not specify if or when those released would need to return to jail.