Morocco on Thursday released 92 political prisoners, including a prominent anti-corruption activist and a controversial preacher, following a pardon issued by the king after protests demanding democratic reforms. Forgiveness also commuted death sentences to prison sentences limited to five inmates. Thirty-seven life sentences were reduced, according to the National Council for Human Rights.
Also reduced prison sentences to 53 other prisoners. Most released prisoners whose sentences were reduced or were members of the Islamist group Salafist Jihad. Mohamed Sebbar, appointed general secretary in March by King Mohamed VI, said the pardon was the prelude to a thorough review of cases of political prisoners in Morocco.
Among those released is the preacher Mohammed Fizazi, sentenced in 2003 to 30 years in prison for inspiring 12 suicide bombers who carried out this year a series of bombings in Casablanca which left 33 people dead, the worst attack on Morocco. Local human rights groups have said hundreds of people, including supporters of the Salafist Jihad, were arrested following attacks on politically motivated prosecutions or without solid evidence.
King Mohamed VI announced last month that constitutional reforms will yield some of his powers and create an independent judiciary in Morocco. The concessions come after the youth movement called February 20 star in some of the largest demonstrations against the government for decades in the country in North Africa, among other things demanding the release of political prisoners.
"This forgiveness understood that the king Once again the message of the streets, "said political analyst Ahmed el-Bouz. 
Also reduced prison sentences to 53 other prisoners. Most released prisoners whose sentences were reduced or were members of the Islamist group Salafist Jihad. Mohamed Sebbar, appointed general secretary in March by King Mohamed VI, said the pardon was the prelude to a thorough review of cases of political prisoners in Morocco.
Among those released is the preacher Mohammed Fizazi, sentenced in 2003 to 30 years in prison for inspiring 12 suicide bombers who carried out this year a series of bombings in Casablanca which left 33 people dead, the worst attack on Morocco. Local human rights groups have said hundreds of people, including supporters of the Salafist Jihad, were arrested following attacks on politically motivated prosecutions or without solid evidence.
King Mohamed VI announced last month that constitutional reforms will yield some of his powers and create an independent judiciary in Morocco. The concessions come after the youth movement called February 20 star in some of the largest demonstrations against the government for decades in the country in North Africa, among other things demanding the release of political prisoners.
"This forgiveness understood that the king Once again the message of the streets, "said political analyst Ahmed el-Bouz.
No comments:
Post a Comment