Iran’s Prosecutor General and spokesman for the judiciary Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei has announced that in the past Iranian calendar year, 375 death sentences were cancelled with the consent of the victims’ next of kin.
Mohseni Ejei said the high number of consents is considered a great achievement for the country’s judiciary.
The Qesas law allows the families of murder victims to demand the killer’s execution.
He added that: “The concept of mercy and forgiveness in the Sharia law of Qesas requires patience, wisdom and cultural development.”
He said that while the next of kin have the right to ask about Qesas, they are encouraged to take the route of mercy and forgiveness.
The Prosecutor General said this aspect of Sharia needs more work and promotion.
In recent weeks, several death sentences were rescinded as the next of kin decided to forego their demand for Qesas.
