King Mohamed VI’s Controversial Pardon, Including Former Daesh Fighters, Raises Concerns of Hidden Agendas
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BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a surprising move coinciding with the commemoration of the “Revolution of the King and the People,” King Mohammed VI of Morocco granted clemency to 673 individuals, with 464 among them incarcerated for extremism and terrorism-related offenses. While the prerogative of granting pardons lies within the King’s authority, this decision has sparked intense scrutiny and speculation, suggesting a possible ploy to deflect criticism from human rights organizations and obscure underlying motives.
The Ministry of Justice’s press release detailed the royal pardon, framing it as an act of benevolence to alleviate the distress of detainees. However, closer examination reveals a complex narrative that raises serious concerns. By focusing solely on individuals convicted of terrorism and extremism, including former Daesh fighters who returned from Syria, the pardon has conspicuously omitted activists who championed causes of social justice, self-determination, and opposition to normalization with the Zionist entity.
This glaring omission prompts observers to question the true motivations behind the pardon. The timing of the announcement, amid rising terrorist threats in the Sahel and recent events in Niger, adds a layer of unease. Such a substantial concession to individuals who possess extensive military training and expertise in terrorist tactics, gained from their involvement with Daesh in Syria, implies a disconcerting willingness to repurpose these skills for hidden objectives.
Furthermore, the well-documented connections between Daesh and Zionist secret services cast a shadow of suspicion over this amnesty. Many security experts are familiar with the collusion between these entities, underscoring the importance of scrutinizing the beneficiaries of the royal pardon.
The release of former Daesh fighters, who have purportedly expressed remorse and sought redemption, now raises the alarming possibility of these individuals being leveraged for clandestine purposes. Their previous training in Syria, which encompassed the most ruthless techniques of terrorism, has transformed into a troubling question mark over their future intentions. It begs the question: are they being offered a chance to serve in commissioned roles for the King and his enigmatic advisors, including Zionist secret service members?
Conspicuously absent from this narrative are the detainees who fought for the cause of justice, self-determination, and social progress. Advocates for UN resolutions in support of the Saharawi people’s rights, proponents of the Rif Republic, and vocal critics of normalization with the Zionist entity continue to languish in Moroccan prisons. Their plight amplifies the skepticism surrounding the royal pardon, suggesting that the King’s generosity is targeted selectively, leaving those who seek genuine change and advancement to suffer in silence.