Judiciary Furloughs 70000 Prisoners to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK
TEHRAN – Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi says Iran has temporarily released around 70,000 prisoners in order to prevent a further spread of the new coronavirus.
“Prisoners will continue to be furloughed as long as [this measure] does not interfere with the society’s security,” Raeisi told judicial authorities on Monday. “The priority lies with those who have underlying health conditions,” he added.
The chief justice said Iran’s judicial apparatus has also prioritized processing the cases of individuals charged with hoarding hygiene products and other medical requirements amid the country’s efforts to curb the outbreak.
“The hoarders will be tried earlier than they are due in open courts, and the hoarded items will soon be distributed throughout the nation,” he said.
The health of people would never be up for a bargain, Raeisi stressed, adding that hoarding medical commodities in the current circumstances is playing with the lives of people and could not be forgiven by any means.
The novel coronavirus, which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, has killed more than 3,800 people and infected over 108,000 others in at least 95 countries.
Hojjatoleslam Raeisi also urged the government and economic bodies to find ways to alleviate the economic burdens on people whose businesses have been affected by the virus. He also urged banks not to put pressure on repayment of loans by fining defaulters.
On the quarantine of cities, he said it is the task of special headquarters which is in charge of fight with this virus, adding that any decision by the headquarters should be observed by all.
He also hailed public aids in fight with coronavirus, adding that country needs a national unity and determination to overcome this inauspicious virus, adding that unity and integrity of all bodies and organizations is inevitable in this critical period.
He also warned rumor-mongers who play the role of fifth column of enemies in the country who try to create tension by repeating enemies’ words about the death toll of the virus in the country, reiterating they will be dealt harshly.
