The economist and human rights defender was arrested on Wednesday October 30 in Rabat, a few moments after the departure of Emmanuel Macron, then on a state visit to the country. The activist was presented before the prosecutor and indicted on several charges, including “ spreading false allegations ” And ” contempt of a court decision “. He was provisionally released on Friday November 1, but remains pursued by the courts.
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With our correspondent in Casablanca, François Hume-Ferkatadji
On the morning of Friday, November 1, in front of the Casablanca court of first instance, there were around twenty of them, relatives and fellow activists, who came to provide support to Fouad Abdelmoumni.
“ After the release of the journalists and bloggers, we believed in an opening of space… We are surprised by Fouad’s arrest. We, at the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), consider that Fouad’s arrest is an arbitrary arrest », Explained Rhali Aziz, president of the association.
On the day of his arrest, Fouad Abdelmoumni was to go to a meeting of the Moroccan Authority for Support of Political Prisoners, just moments after the departure of Emmanuel Macron on a state visit to the country.
Also readMorocco: arrest of activist and human rights defender Fouad Abdelmoumni
According to local media, it’s a comment on a post Facebook about the case Pegasusreferring to the espionage of France by the kingdom of Morocco, which attracted attention. The activist is also being prosecuted for “ reporting a notoriously fictitious crime of which he knows does not exist “.
“ We know very well that Fouad’s arrest is not because of a status, but it is because of Fouad’s entire activity. Fouad, for a long time, has been the only voice that has tried to speak a little about the situation in Morocco in a clear manner.e,” continues Rhali Aziz.
After his appearance before the prosecutor, the activist therefore emerges free, but awaiting his trial. According to AMDH, 85 people are currently in prison for political reasons in Morocco.