August 4, 2013
The Moroccan Royal Cabinet has issued a communique in which King Mohammed has promised an investigation after his pardoning of a Spanish paedophile sparked violent protests and that there will now be an investigation into the decision.
In this statement, King Mohamed VI said he did not know the gravity of the man’s offending when the decree was issued at the behest of the Spanish king, Juan Carlos.
“The king has ordered a thorough investigation to find out the responsibilities and failures that led to the regrettable release … and to impose the necessary punishments,” the palace said in a statement carried by state news agency MAP.
“The king had not been informed at any time of the nature of the crimes perpetrated by that person,” the statement said, adding the king would never have agreed to the release of Daniel Galvan Fina if he had known “of the atrocity of the monstrous crimes of which he was found guilty”.
The paedophile was convicted 18 months ago in Kenitra, near the capital Rabat, of raping children aged 4 to 15. Fina, who was serving a 30-year sentence, was among 48 jailed Spaniards who were pardoned by King Mohamed VI on Tuesday at the request of Spain’s King Juan Carlos, who visited Morocco last month.
The Justice Ministry said in a statement on Friday the pardons had been issued based on Morocco’s national interests and its friendly relations with Spain.
The king often pardons prisoners on special occasions, such as Throne Day last Tuesday, but the decision to release the Spaniards at the request of the monarch of a former colonial power riled many Moroccans.
Following the release, these recent days, of the man named Daniel Galvan Fina of Spanish citizenship, convicted by the Moroccan justice, the Royal office wants to bring to the attention of public opinion the following information and precisions
1- His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, has never been informed, in whatever manner, of the gravity of the despicable crimes for which the man was condemned.
2- It is evident that the Sovereign would never have consented that Daniel Galvan Fina would cease serving his sentence, given the atrocity of the hideous crimes of which he was found guilty.
3- His Majesty the King, who is the first protector of the rights of victims, all the more when it comes to children, and their family will spare no effort to continue to grant them his solicitude. The whole set of royal actions, shows the Sovereign’s attachment to the immutable moral values, the centrality of human rights promotion and children protection as well as the defense of the Moroccan society against any harms and actions, condemned by human conscience.
For all these considerations, HM the King decided, as soon as he was informed of the case details, that a deep investigation be conducted in order to determine responsibilities and loopholes that might have entailed this regrettable release, identify the one or those responsible for this neglect and take the needed sanctions. Instructions will also be given to the justice ministry to propose measures likely to regulate grace conditions in its various stages.
