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Morocco: former senior Kaddour Terhzaz pardoned by King

By AFP, 03/02/2011

RABAT - The former number two at the Moroccan Air Force Terhzaz Kaddour, sentenced in 2008 to 12 years in prison for "undermining external security of the state, "was pardoned Wednesday by King Mohammed VI announced his family and a government source.

The former colonel, who also has French nationality, was convicted of disclosing confidential information relating to the war between Morocco and the Polisario Front in the late 70s. "It just released, it is a royal pardon, "he told AFP his daughter Sonia.

The information was confirmed by sources close to the government." He was later pardoned by King at the request of his family, "said a government official on condition of anonymity.

Terhzaz Kaddour, aged 73, was discharged Wednesday afternoon Salé prison, near Rabat, said his daughter.

Mr. Terhzaz was sentenced Nov. 28, 2008 in Rabat by the Permanent Military Court of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces 12 years' imprisonment for "endangering the safety of external state by disclosing a secret national defense" to some "unqualified".

More than 150 MEPs from different countries and all political groups, were sent in November a letter to King Mohammed VI for the call to "pardon Terhzaz Kaddour.

He was accused of having passed in 2005 to a captain of the Air Force, Ali Najab, a copy of a letter written for the king, when he mentioned the absence of anti-missile systems on planes used by Morocco in the conflict with the forces of the Polisario Front, fighting for the independence of Western Sahara.

The conflict erupted in 1975 after the annexation by Morocco of the former English colony.

In June 2010, the family of Colonel Terhzaz had "solicited" the grace of King Mohammed VI, saying he had "always fully backed Morocco and the king".

This liberation " has done him justice and put an end to the consequences of exceptional military trial that has tainted the image of justice, "said Abderrahim Jamai Me Wednesday, one of the lawyers Kaddour Terhzaz.

organizations Defence of Human Rights, which Human Rights Watch, had also defended the former officer and requested his release saying that his trial was unfair.