Morocco Releases Over 5,600 Prisoners Amid COVID-19 Concerns

According to the Ministry of Justice, the detainees who benefited from this royal pardon were selected based on humane and strictly objective criteria, taking into account their age, their precarious health status and the duration of their detention, as well as the good conduct, good behavior and discipline they have shown throughout their incarceration.

The department also stated that the process of releasing the pardoned prisoners will be carried out taking into account the exceptional circumstances associated with the state of health emergency and the precautions it imposes.

Furthermore, the beneficiaries of the royal pardon will be subject to monitoring, medical tests, as well as the necessary quarantine, at their home, to ensure their safety, in accordance with the high royal instructions.

To prevent the spread of the Coronavirus "COVID-19" in penitentiary and rehabilitation institutions, the Sovereign has ordered the taking of all necessary measures to "strengthen the protection of detainees within these establishments, particularly against the spread of this epidemic".