Iran Pardons 5 Jews Convicted of Spying

TEHRAN — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned five Iranian Jews convicted three years ago of spying for Israel, a Jewish source told Reuters.

The five were among 13 Jews whose arrest in 1999 and subsequent closed-door trial triggered widespread condemnation by Western governments and Jewish organizations.

Ten of the Jews and two Muslims were sentenced in 2000 to prison terms of up to 13 years for taking part in a spy ring based in the southern city of Shiraz. Three were acquitted.

Two had been released after serving their sentences. Three were granted early release last year.

“The five Jewish men were freed permanently late Wednesday after being pardoned by Ayatollah Khamenei,” said the source, who asked not to be named.