|
MOROCCO FREES 92 POLITICAL PRISONERS AFTER PROTESTS
April 14, 2011: Morocco freed 92 political prisoners under a pardon issued by the king following street protests demanding democratic reform.
The pardon also commuted to limited prison terms death penalties for five others and life imprisonments for 37 others, officials from the National Council for Human Rights said.
Prison terms for 53 others were also reduced.
The majority of those freed or whose sentences were reduced were members of the Islamist Salafist Jihad group.
Mohamed Sebbar, appointed secretary general of the Council by King Mohammed in March, said the pardon was a prelude to a thorough review of the cases of political prisoners in Morocco.
Last month, King Mohammed announced constitutional reform to give up some of his sweeping powers and make the judiciary independent in Morocco. (Sources: Reuters, 14/04/2011)
|
