Iran's supreme leader reportedly has ordered an amnesty or reduction in prison sentences for "tens of thousands" of people detained amid the nationwide protests shaking the country.

The decree by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, part of a yearly pardoning the supreme leader does before the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, comes as authorities have yet to say how many people they detained in the demonstrations.

While the government said tens of thousands of prisoners were to be freed or get reduced sentences, rights advocates suggested the move was a sham.

STORY: Iran's Supreme Leader has pardoned "tens of thousands" of prisoners, including some arrested in recent anti-government protests, state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday ().But the pardon, approved by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in honor of the 1979 Islamic Revolution,

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, agreed Sunday to pardon "tens of thousands" of protesters who were arrested after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.