By RFIPublié on 16-10-2019Modified on 16-10-2019 at 19:30

Moroccan King Mohammed VI pardoned journalist Hajar Raissouni, who was recently sentenced to one year in prison for "illegal abortion" and "non-marital sex," according to an official statement released on Wednesday (October 16th).

The 28-year-old will be released " in the coming hours ", along with her fiance and the gynecologist, anesthetist and medical secretary who were sentenced with her.

This decision was motivated by the King's " compassion " and " concern " to " preserve the future of the two fiancés who planned to found a family in accordance with religious precepts and the law, despite the mistake they would have made". ", Says the Department of Justice in the release.

Suspend the application of " liberticide laws "

After her arrest, the journalist denounced a " political " trial, assuring from the beginning that she had been treated for internal bleeding, which her gynecologist confirmed in the Rabat court.

His arrest provoked a wave of demonstrations, indignant reactions on social networks, in some media in Morocco and abroad, with very virulent criticism of the state of individual liberties in the kingdom by feminists and human rights defenders.

A group, author of a manifesto "out-the-law" signed by 10,000 people, this week asked the Moroccan prosecutor to suspend the application of " laws liberticide " punishing jail sex out of wedlock, adultery and abortion.

    On the same subject

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    Morocco: the "out-the-law" are now 10,000

    Morocco: prison for journalist tried for "illegal abortion"

    Morocco: political parties facing the debate on abortion and freedoms

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