TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s judiciary said Tuesday that it commuted a death sentence for a tycoon to 20 years in prison after he returned around $2.1 billion in assets from illegally selling oil abroad, the official IRNA news agency reported. Babak Zanjani, 48, was sentenced to death in 2016 over a number of charges, including money laundering, forgery and fraud that disrupted the country’s economy. IRNA quoted judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir as saying that an appeal for amnesty by Zanjani was reviewed and his death sentence was “commuted to a 20-year prison term after approval by the Supreme Leader.“ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say on all state matters and occasionally issues pardons. Jahangir said as part of Zanjani’s 2016 sentence, he had the right to an amnesty or commutation of his death sentence if he returned the assets, compensated for damages and expressed regret for wrongdoing. The spokesman said that Zanjani cooperated with the judiciary to locate the assets abroad in recent years while he was in prison, and all the money was returned. |
Surging auto insurance rates squeeze drivers, fuel inflationCharges revealed against a former Trump aide and 4 lawyers in Arizona fake electors caseHeartbreaking moment loyal dog desperately chases its owners' car after it was dumped on roadBayern Munich signals decision is near on new coach to replace Thomas TuchelCharges revealed against a former Trump aide and 4 lawyers in Arizona fake electors caseUSC gives Lindsay Gottlieb a contract extension following deepest NCAA Tournament run in 30 yearsMoment RAF Typhoon unleashes laserFed's preferred inflation gauge shows price pressures stayed elevated last monthAnimal groups are urging tourists not to visit Wyoming after a man hit a wolf then took it to a barElite female bodyguards reveal the fascinating secrets of protecting A