Moroccan jailed for fake prince Facebook profile pardoned

A Moroccan computer engineer who was put in jail last month for pretending to be the brother of Morocco's King Mohammed VI has been pardoned and released from prison. Fouad Mourtada, 26, created an online Facebook account that led to him being charged with "usurping the identity of Prince Moula Rachid."

Originally given a three-year sentence and a fine of up to $1,370, Mourtada was released after serving 43 days in a Moroccoan jail. Family, friends and supporters created Facebook groups and Web sites to try and raise awareness of what happened to Mourtada, while pressuring the government to release him.

Supporters of the besieged programmer noted that it is common for people to create online accounts under the names of celebrities. It is a violation of Moroccan law to insult or show signs of outrage against royal family members, and such actions can lead to prosecution with possible jail time and heavy fines.

Mourtada said he made the Facebook account in admiration of the prince, not to insult him or out of disrespect.

Mourtada's jailing drew strong criticism from international bloggers, Moroccan human rights organizations, and the Reporters Without Borders journalist advocacy group. The pardon was one of 555 other pardons announced today as part of a tradition on Prophet Mohammed's birthday.

"This is a great relief," Reporters Without Borders said in a statement on its Web site. "Mourtada will be able to spend this holiday with his family tomorrow after 43 days in prison. Nonetheless, we regret that his release is the result of a royal pardon rather than a fair verdict and sentence. Moroccan bloggers will not be able to forget his imprisonment when they compose their blog entries."

Journalists and bloggers have been instructed to be careful when publishing articles and editorials that have harsh words for the king, other members of the royal family, Islam, and the country of Morocco.