Morocco's King Mohammed VI has amnestied a group of 713 inmates on the occasion of the anniversary of the country's independence manifesto, reported the official Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP).
A group of 265 convicts were amnestied from the remaining period of their prison term, while the remaining 426 had their prison sentence reduced, said the agency, adding that the life sentence of six detainees was reduced to limited prison terms.
Another 11 persons were amnestied from prison sentence with fines being kept, and 5 persons were granted pardon from their prison sentence or fine, said MAP.
Morocco has been trying since the new king ascended to power in 1999 to clear its human rights record.
King Mohammed VI ordered the set up of a special committee to extend $600 in compensation to the victims of torture at the hands of the authorities.
UN human rights chief, Mary Robinson, was quoted by MAP as saying the kingdom had scored remarkable progress in matters of human rights defense and promotion -- Albawaba.com
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