COVID-19: King Mohammed VI Grants Pardon to 5,654 Inmates

King Mohammed VI has granted pardon to 5,654 detainees and gave orders to take all the necessary measures to strengthen the protection of inmates, particularly against the spread of the Coronavirus epidemic, the Ministry of Justice announced this Sunday.

“As part of the attention paid by the Sovereign to inmates in penitentiary and rehabilitation institutions, the Commander of the Faithful has granted his pardon to 5.654 detainees”, the ministry underlined in a statement.

The prisoners who were granted the royal pardon were selected on the basis of human and strictly objective criteria, which take into account their age, their health condition, the length of detention, as well as good conduct, good behavior and discipline they have shown throughout their incarceration, the statement said.

Given the exceptional circumstances associated with the health emergency order, this process will be carried out in successive stages.

In accordance with the high royal instructions, the beneficiaries of the Royal pardon will be held under surveillance, will be submitted to medical tests, and quarantined, at their homes, to safeguard their security.

The Monarch also gave instructions to take all necessary measures to strengthen the protection of inmates, particularly against the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, the Justice Ministry pointed out.