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ranian political prisoners will not be allowed the customary temporary leave to celebrate the upcoming new year, under a directive by the head of the judiciary, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.

Last year, many political prisoners including renowned political figures were granted temporary leave -- after posting bail of between 5 billion and 10 billion rials ($480,000-$960,000) -- for the Norouz celebrations.

But this year, several political prisoners who have been charged with "acting against national security" will not be allowed to spend Norouz, which falls on March 21, with their families.

That follows a resolution approved by judiciary head Ayotallah Sadegh Larijani.

In recent years, several political prisoners and their families have written to the authorities, protesting that prisoners' basic rights are being neglected.

Shadi Sadr, an Iranian lawyer and women's rights activist who now lives in exile in the United Kingdom, told RFE/RL the new restriction comes as several political prisoners in Iran have been denied a meeting with their families for several months.

"They are only allowed weekly meetings with their lawyer, and similarly several other basic rights including hygienic, cultural, and medical facilities have been ignored by the authorities on numerous occasions," she said.