Morocco has been taking action against critics of the monarchy and the government in recent years.
Now, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has had a change of heart.
He has ordered the release of 2,476 prisoners, including three well-known journalists, in what is described as a humanitarian gesture to mark the 25th anniversary of his rule, according to an insider close to the government as cited by Der Spiegel.
Among those pardoned are journalists Taoufik Bouachrine, Omar Radi, and Soulaimane Raisouni. These journalists had previously been convicted of sexual assault after making critical comments about Moroccan politics.
Human rights activists had described the proceedings as politically motivated.
Bouachrine was sentenced to twelve years in prison in 2018, Radi to six years in 2021, and Raisouni to five years in 2021.
The king also pardoned 16 prisoners who had been convicted of extremism and terrorism.
The Moroccan Ministry of Justice stated that these individuals had since "reconsidered their positions."
The Moroccan constitution grants the king the authority to remit or mitigate sentences, a decision typically made on national holidays.
Restrictions on Press Freedom
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in northwest Africa that has been independent since 1956.
Despite being a constitutional monarchy since 1992, the king continues to rule in an authoritarian manner. Freedom of expression is severely restricted.
For years, the government has taken action against critics of the king and the government, with press freedom being particularly curtailed.
Human rights organizations and independent media representatives have frequently complained that critical journalists often face false charges. Morocco has also reportedly used the controversial Pegasus software from Israel to spy on journalists.
