Mauritanian president pardons 35 Islamic extremists, some had belonged to al-Qaida affiliate
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NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) — Mauritania's justice minister says the president has pardoned 35 repented Islamic extremists.
Minister Abidine Ould El Khair says the 35 detainees had sworn in front of a mullah that they have renounced violence. Some had belonged to an al-Qaida affiliate.
The Western African nation of Mauritania has been plagued with jihadist violence in recent years, much of it linked to al-Qaida's North African branch.
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None of the pardoned extremists had been accused of carrying out attacks against Westerners or the state of Mauritania.
Another 35 remained jailed, including the men accused of killing a group of French tourists in 2007 and a U.S. aid worker in 2009.
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