5,645 Moroccan Prisoners Pardoned in Preventive

Measures against Covid-19 Virus

The King of Morocco pardoned 5,645 prisoners in preventive

measures against Covid-19 virus. Since the outbreak of the virus,
Morocco was one the first countries to implement stricter
measures to fight the spread of Covid-19

Berlin, Germany, April 6, 2020 - In a statement by the Moroccan justice

ministry, the King of Morocco pardoned, on Sunday, 5,645 prisoners in
preventive measures against Covid-19 virus. The King called for "taking all
necessary measures to protect inmates in adult prisons as well as
correctional institutions housing minor prisoners under 18 years old from
the spread of coronavirus." The prisoners who benefited from the Royal
pardon were selected on the basis of strictly objective criteria taking into
account their age, their precarious state of health and the length of their
detention, as well as good conduct, good behavior and discipline they
have shown throughout their incarceration.

The justice ministry statement added that "Due to the exceptional

circumstances associated with the actual situation, the process of the
release will be implemented in a gradual manner". In this context and in
accordance with the Royal instructions, the beneficiaries will be subject to
surveillance, medical tests, as well as the necessary quarantine period in
their homes. The statement concludes that all necessary measures will be
taken in order to ensure the safety of the released prisoners and that of
the people they will be in contact with.

Since the outbreak of the virus, Morocco was one the first countries to
implement stricter measures to fight the spread of Covid-19 by shutting
down its airspace and by imposing a curfew. Moroccan authorities invested
a $1 billion fund to upgrade health facilities and help the country's
economic sectors in the wake of the Covid-19 virus outbreak. The fund
helped acquire the necessary health equipment and assisted sectors such
as tourism and maintained jobs and mitigated the pandemic’s social
repercussions.

Last Saturday, the Moroccan Ministry of Health said that the total number
of COVID-19 infections rose to 919 with 59 deaths and 66 recovered cases.
Since appearing in Wuhan, China, last December, the novel coronavirus
has spread to at least 182 countries and regions. Data compiled by the
U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University shows worldwide infections
surpassing 1.2 million with over 69,527 deaths and 264,048 recovered
people. To know more about the outbreak of coronavirus in Morocco,
please visit www.covidmaroc.ma.

About Friends of Morocco

Friends of Morocco is a nonprofit organization with branches around the
world. The main objective is to promote Morocco and to build bridges and
connect people who have fallen in Love with this country, adopted its
culture and made it their 2nd home.

Press Contact:
Elle P. Wolfgang
Berlin, Germany
Phone : 015213454385