King Mohammed VI Pardons Jailed Journalists in Humanitarian Gesture

King Mohammed VI of Morocco pardoned jailed journalists Taoufik Bouachrine, Omar Radi, and Soulaimane Raisouni on the 25th anniversary of his reign. The decision affects 2,476 convicts and maintains victims' rights. The journalists, critics of public policies, were convicted on controversial charges.

Moroccan King Mohammed VI has granted pardons to jailed journalists Taoufik Bouachrine, Omar Radi, and Soulaimane Raisouni. The move, which commemorates the 25th anniversary of his reign, benefits 2,476 convicts overall According to the government, this is meant as a humanitarian gesture, annulling prison sentences while preserving the victims' rights.

According to the Moroccan constitution, the king has the right to pardon or commute sentences, typically doing so on national days. The three journalists, who were noted critics of public policies, had been convicted on charges including sexual assault, which they denied.

Human rights defenders criticized their trials as politically motivated. Bouachrine was sentenced to 12 years in 2018, while Radi and Raisouni received 6- and 5-year sentences respectively in 2021. Additionally, the king pardoned 16 inmates on extremism and terrorism charges after they reportedly revised their positions, per the justice ministry.