Rights Advocates Urge Morocco to Release Activist Fouad Abdelmoumni

Approximately 300 advocates have called on Morocco to release activist Fouad Abdelmoumni, sentenced to six months in prison for allegations of espionage against France. They argue he should have been prosecuted under press law, not the penal code. The petition reflects concerns over a broader trend of repression against free speech in the region.

In Tunisia, nearly 300 rights advocates and experts from North Africa and France have publicly urged Morocco to release activist Fouad Abdelmoumni. He is currently imprisoned for six months on charges pertaining to allegations he made regarding Moroccan espionage against France in a Facebook post.

The petition, which has accumulated 295 signatures by Monday, states that Abdelmoumni should have faced prosecution under the press code, which does not prescribe jail sentences. Instead, he was charged under the penal code, which could lead to his custody should the appeals court uphold the verdict.

The advocates labeled the sentence a component of a broader repressive policy by regional governments aimed at silencing advocates for freedom of expression and human rights. They demanded the annulment of Abdelmoumni’s sentence and the release of political prisoners in Morocco and other Maghreb nations.

Among the signatories are notable figures including former Doctors Without Borders president Rony Brauman and historian Sophie Bessis. Abdelmoumni’s statements were deemed harmful to Morocco’s interests, crossing the boundaries of permissible speech.

His Facebook post came during a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron that aimed to improve diplomatic relations between Morocco and France, which had been strained partly due to prior espionage allegations. Morocco has previously faced accusations of using Israeli-made Pegasus spyware against high-profile targets, yet the government has dismissed these claims as unfounded.

Prominent rights advocates continue to advocate for the release of Fouad Abdelmoumni, arguing that his prosecution reflects a repressive trend across North Africa. The call for the annulment of his sentence underscores the ongoing tensions regarding freedom of expression and human rights in the region. The involvement of influential signatories highlights the significance of this case in the broader context of political repression and advocacy for democratic values.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com