Although the coronavirus has created sorrow for many around the world, there is a bit of sunshine in the darkness. Several Christian families in Iran today are rejoicing that their family members have been released from prison.

Iran has released approximately 70,000 prisoners because of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, Iranian judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday, according to Mizan, the news site of the judiciary.

“The release of the prisoners, to the point where it doesn’t create insecurity in society … will continue,” he said.

Detainees were released from prisons that hold Christians, including the three main prisons that are the most notorious – Karaj Prison, Evin Prison and Tehran’s Greater Prison, also known as Fashafuyeh.

Iran’s government has decided to release prisoners because they are suffering from the impact of the coronavirus.

Iraj Harirchi, head of the Iranian task force on the coronavirus stepped out to the podium and attempted to assure people that the claims of the coronavirus were overblown and that people should not over-react.

The very next day he was diagnosed with the disease.

Since then, Iran’s leadership has been suffering from the coronavirus.

So far, six top diplomats have been confirmed to have the virus, three of which have already died.

Hossein Sheikholeslam, Iran’s top diplomat, died on Thursday of the coronavirus.

Fatemeh Rahbar, Conservative Iranian MP, died Saturday of the coronavirus.

Mohammad Mirmohammadi – top advisor to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, died last week from the coronavirus.

Mohammad Sadr, another top advisor to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, now has the coronavirus.

Iraj Harirchi – head of Iran’s government task force on the coronavirus told people not to over-react. He now has the virus.

Masoumeh Ebtekar, one of the country’s vice presidents, is one of the most loved politicians in Iran, now as the virus.

8% of the Iranian parliament are confirmed to have the coronavirus.

With Mohammad Mirmohammadi and Mohammad Sadr being such close advisors to the Supreme Leader, the question must be asked – what effect is the coronavirus having on the Supreme Leader of Iran and how will that impact the future of Christians?

Releasing all Christians from Iranian prisons would be good thing.