Rabat – Two prisoners from the Rif mass protests, known as Hirak Rif, were released from the Hoceima prison on Monday, May 27, on completion of their sentences.
The two men were arrested in 2016-2017 when people from the Rif region took to the streets to protest marginalization, underdevelopment, and corruption.
Authorities arrested the two Hirak protesters after the Casablanca Criminal Chamber sentenced them to two years imprisonment, which the court of appeals upheld.
Nine Rif protesters are expecting their imminent release on completion of their sentences. 20 Protesters in total were given 2 year prison terms.
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Last year, 11 of the Hirak protesters, who were still on trial at the court of Appeals, were released on the occasion of the Muslim sacrifice feast Eid Al Adha.
King Mohammed VI granted amnesty to 184 prisoners, who were linked to Rif popular movement, according to the Human Rights Minister Mustapha Ramid.
Moroccan sources, quoting the Ministry of Justice, claim that the amnesty included 889 imprisoned, which state-owned news agency Maghreb Arab Press confirmed, making no mention of Hirak prisoners.
Mohamed Aghnaj, lawyer of the protesters, confirmed that 11 protesters were set free. He added that the amnesty included Hirak protesters who were serving less than three years.
The death of a fishmonger named Mohcine Fikri sparked off the mass protests in 2016. Attempting to retrieve his confiscated ware, Fikri was crushed to death in a garbage truck allegedly on the orders of a police officer.
