Iran prison authorities have temporarily released 54,000 low-risk prisoners to avoid the spread of cor onavirus.
This came after the country’s death toll surpassed Italy’s with 92 dead on Wednesday.
Iran’s judiciary spokesman, Gholamhossein Esmaili, told reporters that the 54,000 inmates, roughly 22.5 percent of its estimated total prison population, were granted furlough (temporary leave) after testing negative and posting bail.
“Security prisoners” sentenced to more than five years will not be let out.
The Iranian government also announced total infections rose to 2,922 and also confirmed that the country’s First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri was the latest high-profile figure to contract the disease.
