Royal Amnesty in Morocco Frees Thousands

SALE, Morocco — Thousands of prisoners, including foreigners held as drug smugglers, began winning their freedom Saturday after an amnesty decreed by the new king, Mohammed VI.

“We began setting free detainees following the royal amnesty, which was announced on Friday,” an official at the Sale prison said. Sale is the twin city of the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

He said about 700 of his inmates were affected by the royal pardon. Officials said thousands of pardoned prisoners were being freed elsewhere across the country.

Following a Moroccan tradition when a new king is enthroned, Mohammed VI pardoned a record 7,988 prisoners Friday and ordered their release. He also reduced the prison terms of 38,224 others, Justice Minister Omar Azziman said in a statement.

The monarch, who became king after Hassan II died last month, said he would pursue his father’s policies, including economic reforms, reduction of social inequities and improvements in the job market. Morocco, with a work force of 10 million people, has more than 2 million jobless.