Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has pardoned nine individuals convicted on terrorism and extremism charges after they "reviewed their ideas and expressed remorse," the presidential office announced.
Mauritanian authorities stated that as part of efforts to counter the spread of terrorist ideology in the country, the president instructed a group of scholars to engage in dialogue with prisoners convicted under relevant articles. The presidential office noted that the dialogue prompted them to reconsider their views, apologize for the harm caused, and express a readiness for full reintegration into society.
"By virtue of the president's ... commitment to give those who have rethought their views and beliefs ... the opportunity to reintegrate into normal social life, ... the following decision has been made: three prisoners ... have received a pardon covering the remainder of their prison terms, fines, fees, and court costs. Six prisoners have had their original sentences commuted to the time already served in prison," the statement said.
In May, Morocco's King Mohammed VI pardoned 1,376 individuals on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, 20 of whom were serving sentences for terrorism and extremism.