Moroccan king pardons nearly 25,000 prisoners

Rabat: King Mohammad VI has pardoned nearly 25,000 prisoners, in a traditional royal gesture, on the 10th anniversary of his coronation.

He has also made small adjustments to the government.

The North African kingdom's Justice Ministry said on Wednesday that among the 24,865 prisoners, some were pregnant women, children, the aged and 659 foreigners convicted in Morocco.

Most of those pardoned were being freed from jail. However, some received reduced sentences, including 32 on death row whose sentences were reduced to life in prison.

The 45-year-old king has used the occasion to tweak the government, notably naming writer Bensalem Himmich culture minister, replacing former actress Saadia Kritef, in ill health.