Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has granted royal clemency to 19,673 convicts in celebration of the 26th anniversary of his accession to the throne, the Ministry of Justice announced on Tuesday.
Of those pardoned, 2,415 individuals were granted clemency under the traditional Throne Day pardon, including 2,239 currently serving prison sentences and 176 non-incarcerated individuals with pending penalties. The pardons varied from full sentence remissions to reductions in prison terms and waivers of fines. Notably, five prisoners had their life sentences commuted to fixed prison terms.
An additional 17,258 inmates benefited from broader clemency measures based on legal and humanitarian grounds. Among them, 114 life sentences were reduced to fixed terms, 23 death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, and 17,121 convicts received partial sentence reductions or fine waivers.
The Ministry described the mass pardon as a gesture of “high solicitude” from the King, emphasizing that the royal pardon is both a constitutional right and a tradition of compassion deeply rooted in Moroccan public life. Throne Day clemency reflects Morocco’s enduring commitment to justice, mercy, and national unity.
The annual Throne Day, marked on July 30, celebrates the King’s leadership and is often accompanied by royal pardons as a symbol of reconciliation and hope.
Written By Rodney Mbua
