View 1 more
Supporters attend a candlelight vigil for Amir Hekmati, who has been in confinement in Iran for over a year, outside Mott Community College in Flint, Mich. on Tuesday Sept. 25, 2012. The Flint Journal, Lauren Justice) LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT, Associated Press
View 1 more
This undated photo released by the Michigan family of Amir Hekmati via FreeAmir.org shows the former U.S. Marine, who"™s now being held in a prison in Iran on accusations of spying for the CIA. Hekmati family via FreeAmir.org, Associated Press
By Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran says it has freed 80 prisoners, including many arrested during the unrest after the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009.

The mass release announced Monday is likely to provide a diplomatic boost for Iran's new president, Hasan Rouhani, at this week's U.N. General Assembly in New York.

The official IRNA news agency says Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei agreed to a request from the judiciary to release the opposition supporters and others jailed on security charges.

View Comments

Last week, Iran released a dozen prominent political prisoners, including a human rights lawyer. The main opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi remain under house arrest.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.