Morocco releases imprisoned journalists after pardons from King Mohamed VI

Three journalists who were sentenced to years in prison after writing about corruption and abuse of power in Morocco were released Monday after receiving pardons from King Mohammed VI.

Omar Radi, Taoufik Bouachrine and Soulaimane Raissouni were among 2,278 people pardoned this week, according to Morocco’s Ministry of Justice. The pardons were announced as Morocco prepared to celebrate its national holiday marking the 25th anniversary of when Mohammed VI ascended to the throne.

Moroccan law affords the king, as head of state, the power to grant such pardons, which apply to the journalists’ prison sentences but not to the civil penalties or the money that courts ordered them to pay their accusers.

The journalists were freed from prison in Tifelt, a town east of Rabat, to a group of ecstatic supporters.