Moroccan journalist jailed for 'illegal abortion' pardoned by king

Hajar Raissouni says in statement from prison that she was targeted for her work as as a journalist

A Moroccan journalist sentenced to a year in prison for an illegal abortion and premarital sex has been pardoned by the country's king in the latest twist of a case which has come to symbolize repression of women's rights and freedom of speech.

Hajar Raissouni was found guilty of charges of "having an illegal abortion and sexual relations outside marriage". Her fianci(C), Prof Rifaat al-Amin, was also given a one-year sentence, while a doctor, Mohammed Jamal Belkeziz, was given a two year sentence in the same trial for alleged complicity.