Three Moroccan journalists, Omar Radi, Taoufik Bouachrine, and Soulaimane Raissouni, were released from prison on Monday after receiving pardons from King Mohammed VI.
The journalists were sentenced to years in prison for writing about corruption and abuse of power, and their cases had sparked international criticism.
The pardons were announced as Morocco celebrated its national holiday, and were seen as a gesture of goodwill by the king.
However, human rights activists noted that the pardons did not exonerate the journalists or address the politically motivated nature of their prosecutions.
The journalists were accused of sex-related crimes, which they denied, and were found guilty in trials that were widely criticized as unfair. Their cases were seen as emblematic of Morocco’s crackdown on dissent and criticism of authorities.
The pardons were welcomed by human rights groups, but they also highlighted the ongoing issue of press freedom and political repression in Morocco. Several other dissidents remain behind bars in the country, and activists are calling for further reforms to protect freedom of expression.
