Iran has temporarily freed about 85,000 prisoners, including political prisoners, in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.
According to an official spokesperson, "50% of those released are security-related prisoners", with additional precautionary measures in place in prisons to protect the health of the inmates.
It comes just days after UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran urged Tehran to free all political prisoners temporarily from its overcrowded jails.
So far, Iran recorded 853 COVID-19 deaths and a total of 14,991 infections.
It's unclear when the prisoners will return to jail.


At least 14 killed in explosion at weapons depot in Syria
US hits five Iranian oil tankers after attack on Navy ships
UK gives air traffic provider a week to probe outage that halted flights
Serbia's President Vucic dissolves parliament, calls snap elections
With large crowds attending, Norway lays King Harald to rest
Jordan intercepts 18 Iranian ballistic missiles
Air traffic control issue disrupts flights at major UK airports
At least 73 injured after Houthi rebels attack Saudi civilian and energy facilities
