RABAT, Morocco

Moroccan King Mohammed VI has pardoned 637 prisoners, according to the country's justice ministry.=

In a statement, the ministry said the pardon was issued on the occasion of commemorating the presentation of the independence document marked on Jan. 11 every year.

On January 11, 1944, the Moroccan national movement presented a manifesto to the French colonialists demanding full independence, national reunification, and territorial integrity.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar