Morocco’s King Mohammed VI pardoned 19,673 convicts as part of the 26th Throne Day celebrations, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the Ministry of Justice. The large-scale royal clemency, long a tradition during national holidays, covered prisoners across the country’s penal system.
Out of the total, 2,415 people were directly pardoned under the traditional Throne Day royal clemency. That group includes 2,239 inmates currently serving sentences and 176 individuals who had been sentenced but not incarcerated.
The ministry detailed that the pardons involved full sentence remissions, reductions in prison terms, and cancellation of fines. Five life sentences were converted to fixed prison terms.
An additional 17,258 prisoners were granted clemency based on humanitarian or legal grounds. Within this group, 17,121 people received partial sentence reductions or had fines waived. The clemency also covered 114 inmates who had life sentences reduced to defined prison terms, and 23 prisoners originally sentenced to death who will now serve life terms.
The statement said the initiative reflects the King’s “high solicitude” and dedication to values of justice, compassion, and national unity. The pardon, it noted, is rooted in Morocco’s constitutional framework and the monarchy’s tradition of mercy.
The Throne Day pardon is a longstanding feature of Moroccan political life, typically extended on major national occasions such as Eid al-Adha and the anniversary of the King’s accession to the throne. The move is seen as both a symbolic and practical gesture, often benefiting vulnerable groups and inmates with compelling personal or legal circumstances.
No names of the pardoned individuals were released publicly, and the statement did not indicate the specific offenses involved. The Moroccan government has previously used such clemency exercises to promote social harmony and reinforce faith in the justice system.
Tuesday’s mass pardon coincides with nationwide celebrations marking King Mohammed VI’s rise to power in 1999 following the death of his father, King Hassan II. The monarch’s reign has seen sweeping reforms, though critics continue to call for broader changes to press freedom and judicial independence.
The Justice Ministry reiterated that the King’s gesture is not a blanket absolution but rather a selective, structured act based on specific criteria reviewed by competent legal authorities.
Moroccan state media and government outlets aired celebratory coverage of the national holiday throughout the day, including scenes from parades, speeches, and official ceremonies.
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