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King Mohammed VI Grants Clemency to Moroccan Journalists and Activists on Throne Day

Tuesday 30 July 2024 - 12:45

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In a significant gesture marking Throne Day, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended royal pardons to 2,476 individuals, including prominent journalists Taoufik Bouachrine, Omar Radi, and Soulaimane Raissouni, alongside activists Reda Taoujni and Youssef El-Hireche. This annual tradition often coincides with national and religious holidays, underlining the monarch's commitment to humanitarian considerations.

The pardoned individuals have served varying prison sentences, each linked to different legal proceedings. While official channels have yet to confirm the news, the Ministry of Justice announced the royal clemency, emphasizing that humanitarian factors were central to the decision.

Detailed Cases of the Pardoned Journalists

Taoufik Bouachrine: Bouachrine, a notable Moroccan journalist, was apprehended by Moroccan police in February 2019 on charges of human trafficking, rape with violence, and sexual assault. Initially sentenced to 12 years in prison in November 2018, his sentence was later increased to 15 years by the Moroccan Court of Appeal in Casablanca in October 2019.

Soulaimane Raissouni: Raissouni faced arrest in May 2020 following a lawsuit alleging sexual assault. Casablanca’s Appeal Court upheld a five-year prison sentence for Raissouni on February 23, 2022, affirming the initial July 2021 conviction for "violent indecent assault."

Omar Radi: In 2021, Radi received a six-year prison sentence from the Casablanca Court of Appeal. He was convicted on charges of "rape" and "receiving funds from a foreign agent," with an additional conviction for "undermining Morocco’s security." Radi’s arrest followed rape accusations by his colleague, Hafsa Boutahar, which Radi vehemently denied, asserting that their relations were consensual.

Throughout their trials, Bouachrine, Raissouni, and Radi consistently denied the allegations against them. Their cases have sparked considerable debate and scrutiny both domestically and internationally.

Inclusion of Activists and Other Convictions

The royal pardon also extended to individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses. These individuals had completed the “Moussalaha” reconciliation program, which involves ideological revisions that reject extremism and violence. This inclusion underscores Morocco's broader efforts at rehabilitation and reintegration.

Official Announcement and Humanitarian Considerations

The Ministry of Justice's announcement on Monday evening highlighted that the pardons took into account the humanitarian situations of those benefiting from the clemency. This move by King Mohammed VI not only reflects traditional practices but also addresses contemporary humanitarian concerns within the Moroccan justice system.

As Morocco continues to navigate complex social and political landscapes, the royal pardons on Throne Day stand as a testament to the monarch's enduring influence and the nation's evolving approach to justice and reconciliation.