Ahmad Montazeri Released on Leave for Eight Days 24 Hours After Arrest

Ahmad Montazeri, son of Ayatollah Montazeri, who was arrested on Wednesday to serve his six-year prison sentence at the Special Clerical Court, was granted an eight-day leave on Thursday. The Telegram channel of Ayatollah Montazeri's office announced on Thursday night, March 5, that he had been in "solitary confinement" since his arrest "until suddenly, at 10 PM on Thursday, the situation changed and he was granted eight days of leave." An informed source confirmed this news in an interview with Radio Farda. According to a statement released by Ayatollah Montazeri's office, Ahmad Montazeri, who was summoned to the Special Clerical Court without receiving a formal summons on Wednesday, reported his arrest shortly after. Following the release of an audio file of Ayatollah Montazeri regarding the executions of 1988 last December, he was sentenced to a total of 21 years in prison on charges of "acting against national security by publishing a confidential audio file" and "propaganda against the regime." However, the Special Clerical Court stated that due to the "value and sanctity of the blood of the martyr brother" of Ahmad Montazeri, namely Mohammad Montazeri, and considering his "age and special circumstances and lack of a criminal record, by averaging the minimum and maximum penalties in execution" only six years of this sentence would be executed.