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Ambassador Brahim Ghali denounces arbitrary verdict against Gdeim izik group

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Algiers, Feb 18, 2013 (SPS) - The Ambassador in Algiers Mr. Brahim Ghali denounced Sunday the “arbitrary” verdict pronounced by Rabat martial court against the 24 Sahrawi political detainees of Gdeim Izik, considering it an “evidence of the failure of occupation’s policy and imminence of the Saharawi people’s victory.”


“This arbitrary verdict, ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment, is the unquestionable evidence of the failure of Moroccan policy and the imminence of victory of the Sahrawi people,” the Sahrawi ambassador told Algerian Press Service (APS).


“This verdict will not undermine willingness of the Sahrawi people to pursue their fight and resistance for victory, independence and self- determination,” he added.


Mr. Brahim Ghali appealed to the international community, human rights organizations and people of conscience throughout the world “to show solidarity with the Saharawi political prisoners to work speedily for their release and allow their people to exercise their right to self-determination.”


He has also denounced the “orchestrated trial and the unfair verdict”, noting “this trial which is purely political, has no legal foundation and follows no international standards.”


Mr. Ghali went on saying that the group had not committed any offense and brought by Moroccan repressive apparatus to a military court after two years of interrogation, torture and various unethical practices that affect human dignity.


Moroccan military court of Rabat sentenced Saturday night to Sunday eight of the 24 Saharawi political prisoners, known as Gdeim Izik group, to life imprisonment and one to life in prison in absentia, four to 30-year prison term, eight to 25-year and three to 20-year jail term. It released 2 of them after they sentenced to two-year in prison, but they have already served their terms in custody.


The group was arrested following Moroccan military attack on Gdeim Izik protest camp, near the capital El Aaiun, on 8 November 2010. (SPS)


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