Moroccan King pardons journalist Hajar Raissouni
The Moroccan journalist Hajar Raissouni has received an extraordinary royal pardon by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. Raissouni had been found guilty, along with her fiancé and a doctor, of “illegal abortion”, among other charges, for which she had received a prison sentence.
The Ministry of Justice reported that “The royal pardon comes within a framework of royal compassion and clemency, amid concern by his majesty, the King, to preserve the future of the couple who intended to start a family in line with religious precepts and the law, despite the error they committed which led to the legal proceedings.”
Both, Raissouni’s fiancé and the doctor, received the royal pardon as well.
Ms Raissouni has been released and will continue with her work as a journalist. The action taken by the King is seen by many as an encouraging and progressive step in Morocco in the realm of justice and freedom of speech.
Morocco is a key ally of the EU in the MENA region. The EU has been supporting various initiatives and projects of Morocco to advance the rule of law, and to insure the respect of the fundamental rights in the country.
#MapUrgent
SM le Roi accorde sa grâce à #HajarRaissouni.
Le Souverain a accordé également sa grâce au fiancé de Hajar Raissouni et à l’équipe médicale poursuivie dans cette affaire. https://t.co/QeeFTcdG8o pic.twitter.com/lgGosYWJU7— Agence MAP (@MAP_Information) October 16, 2019
