King Mohammed VI May Grant Royal Pardon to Hirak Protesters on August 20

The Hirak of Rif detainees, namely Nasser Zefzafi, Samir Aghid and Nabil Ahmajik, sentenced to 20 years in prison, Mohamed Jelloul, sentenced to 10 years, as well as Mohamed El Haki and Zakaria Adahchour, sentenced to 15 years, could benefit from the royal pardon and regain their freedom on August 20, on the occasion of the celebration of the "Revolution of the King and the People".

Ahmed Zefzafi, the father of Nasser Zefzafi, considered the leader of the Hirak of Rif, clearly indicated that "his family has not received any official information so far regarding the release of the detainees on August 20". A source close to Mohamed Jelloul’s family also confirmed that they have no information on this subject, specifying that the same rumors had been circulated by the press in previous years on the occasion of religious or national holidays.

The same source says it is waiting to see the actual release of those concerned before believing this news. Local human rights defense associations in the city of Al Hoceima have also noted the absence of official information on the release of the Hirak of Rif detainees, stressing that "the royal amnesty only reaches the families a very short time before its proclamation, as was the case, for example, with the Hirak of Rif detainees released in 2020, which leaves all possibilities open," says Achkayn.

On the occasion of the Throne Feast on July 30, Mohammed VI granted his pardon to journalists Taoufik Bouachrine, Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni, to the blogger and activist Saida El Alami and to demonstrators against normalization with Israel. In recent days, many human rights activists, journalists and bloggers have called for the release of the Hirak of Rif detainees, Mohamed Brahimi, a Hirak of Jerada detainee, and Mohamed Ziane, a former Minister of Human Rights.