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.
Israeli tanks push back in northern Gaza, warplanes hit Rafah
Iran says it will respond in 'seconds' to any Israeli retaliation
Heavy rains in north west Pakistan leave 21 dead
Biden and his wife report $620,000 income in 2023 tax returns
Several people injured in second stabbing in Sydney in 3 days
