King Mohammed VI Grants Royal Pardon to Journalist Hajar Raissouni

PERSISMA, Rabat – King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to Moroccan journalist Hajar Raissouni. The Al Akhbar al Yaoum journalist received a one-year prison sentence from the Rabat court for undergoing an illegal abortion and sex outside marriage.

A press release from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice announced the news of her pardon on Wednesday, October 16.

The Moroccan Ministry of Justice said that the royal pardon seeks to preserve Raissouni’s future and that of her fiance, who were going to build a family in accordance with Morocco’s law “despite the error they may have committed,” which led to their arrest.

The royal pardon also included the doctor and medical staff arrested for performing the alleged illegal abortion.