In a directive issued on Sunday to judicial units and prosecutors across the country, Mohseni-Ejei said all Christian convicts who are currently in prison or on furlough should be granted the 10-day leave "on the occasion of the 2022 New Year and the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ and in view of the positive impact of prisoners’ reunion with their families."
However, the furlough does not include those inmates who are convicted of espionage and acting against the country's national security who have been handed down jail terms longer than five years, as well as those jailed for gang-related and organized crimes, disruption of the country's economic system, armed robbery, kidnapping, and those sentenced to capital punishment.
According to the directive, prosecutors across the country are obligated to implement the directive and supervise its proper implementation.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi on Friday penned a letter congratulating Pope Francis on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ and the Gregorian New Year.
In his message, the Iranian president expressed “cordial congratulations” to the head of the Roman Catholic Church and all the Christians across the world on the jubilant birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, the Prophet of peace and kindness and the beginning of New Year.
He said the Jesus Christ’s birth is the "manifestation of God’s will and power” and added that the spiritual status of Saint Mary, the Prophet’s mother, shows the lofty position of women in divine religions.
On December 25, billions of Christians across the world commemorate the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, days ahead of the New Year on January 1, which marks the start of the Georgian calendar.