Concerns have been raised for Saharawi journalist Mustapha Abdaiem following he and fellow prisoner Mahmoud Abou Alqasem were reportedly removed Saturday from Tiznit prison and taken to an unknown location.
In addition to Abdaiem’s family raising fear for the safety of her son, the Saharawi Journalists’ and Writers’ Union (UPES) declarad in a statement it is “deeply concerned about the fate and physical and moral safety of Mr. Abdaiem” and calls for international support to ensure his safety.
The journalist who is also Secretary General of the Saharawi Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Zag told Thursday colleagues from UPES that he feared reprisals from the Moroccan authorities.
This week, Morocco has faced strong criticism by Amnesty international for what the organisation describes as a “draconian response to people merely exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly “.
Recent weeks have seen disproportionate levels of violence used by Moroccan security forces against protestors in cities across Morocco. On Thursday a 30 year old protestor Kamel Ammari died as a result of severe beating.
Abdaiem has been in prison since 2008 after supporting Saharawi demonstrations in favour of self-determination and speaking out about the occupation, it should be recalled. (SPS)
062/090/TRA 070 929 JUNE 11 SPS