Morocco: King Mohammed VI Pardons 708 Inmates on Youth Day, Including Life Sentences Commuted

Rabat – King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to 708 inmates convicted by various courts across the country, the Ministry of Justice announced today. This act of clemency is in celebration of Youth Day, which Morocco will observe tomorrow. The royal pardon includes a wide range of beneficiaries, both those currently in detention and those who are already at liberty, according to the ministry. Among those in detention, 28 individuals will benefit from a reduction in the remaining time of their prison sentences. A further 442 detainees will have their entire prison sentences lifted, while 4 individuals will see their life sentences commuted to fixed-term sentences. For those who are not in detention, the royal clemency impacts 234 people in various ways, noted the statement. In addition, 183 individuals will see their fines waived, and 9 people will benefit from both reductions in prison sentences and waivers of fines. The Ministry of Justice expressed deep gratitude to King Mohammed VI and lauded him as a beacon of clemency and mercy. This royal pardon follows a similar gesture just one day prior, when the King pardoned over 5,000 inmates to mark the anniversary of the King and People’s Revolution. Among those pardoned were approximately 4,800 individuals involved in cannabis-related cases. This move aligns with Morocco’s recent establishment of the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities. The King’s pardon is a crucial step towards integrating traditional cannabis farmers, especially in the Rif region, into the formal economy, said the Ministry of Justice in a statement.