King Mohammed VI of Morocco has granted a royal pardon to 638 individuals convicted by various courts across the country, the Ministry of Justice announced on the occasion of Mawlid Al Nabi, the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.

Among the beneficiaries, 481 individuals currently in detention were pardoned, with 25 inmates receiving full pardons for their remaining prison terms. A total of 453 detainees had their sentences reduced, and three inmates had their life sentences commuted to fixed-term sentences.

Additionally, 157 individuals who are not in detention benefited from the royal pardon. This includes 39 individuals who were pardoned for the remainder of their prison terms, 10 who had their prison terms pardoned but their fines maintained, and 100 who had their fines annulled. Eight individuals received a full pardon for both their prison terms and fines.

Royal pardons are a traditional practice in Morocco, granted on national and religious holidays as a gesture of mercy and goodwill.

Later in the evening, King Mohammed VI presided over a religious event in celebration of Mawlid Al Nabi. During the event, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, delivered a speech highlighting the activities of the Supreme Council of Ulema and local Ulema Councils. (ILKHA)