In response to the imprisonment of activist Fouad Abdelmoumni in Morocco, nearly 300 rights advocates have signed a petition calling for his release. Charged under the penal code for a Facebook post about alleged Moroccan espionage against France, the advocates argue this reflects a wider repressive trend against freedom of expression in the region. Notable signatories include former Doctors Without Borders president Rony Brauman and historian Sophie Bessis.
In TUNIS, roughly 300 rights advocates and experts from North Africa and France have formally petitioned Morocco to free activist Fouad Abdelmoumni, who has been sentenced to prison for “spreading false allegations” online. Abdelmoumni, recognized for his advocacy of human rights, received a six-month prison sentence in early March related to a Facebook post that claimed Morocco had engaged in espionage against France.
The petition, now signed by 295 individuals, argues that Abdelmoumni should have faced prosecution under the press code, which typically does not impose prison sentences. Instead, he was charged under the penal code, prompting concern from rights advocates. If the appeals court upholds the ruling, he would be taken into custody as stated in the petition posted on Abdelmoumni’s Facebook account.
According to the signatories, the sentence exemplifies a larger “repressive policy” employed by various governments in the region aimed at silencing dissenting voices advocating for freedom of expression and human rights. They demand the annulment of Abdelmoumni’s sentence and the release of all political prisoners in Morocco and neighboring Maghreb countries.
Notable figures among the signatories include former Doctors Without Borders president Rony Brauman, French-Tunisian historian Sophie Bessis, and Tunisian activists Mokhat Trifi and Sana Ben Achour. Their collective action underscores a significant concern for human rights in the region.
In his controversial Facebook post last year, Abdelmoumni reiterated accusations of espionage against Morocco, coinciding with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit, which was intended to mend diplomatic relations strained over similar allegations. Prosecutors contended that Abdelmoumni’s statements were damaging to national interests and exceeded permissible limits of free speech, thereby constituting criminal offenses.
This incident follows 2021 allegations that Morocco utilized Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to surveil prominent individuals, including President Macron, based on investigative reports from Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International. Morocco has dismissed these allegations as “baseless and false,” emphasizing its commitment to protecting national interests despite international scrutiny.
The petition by nearly 300 advocates for Fouad Abdelmoumni highlights serious concerns regarding freedom of expression in Morocco. The activist’s prison sentence, rooted in charges stemming from a Facebook post, has drawn significant international criticism. The call for the annulment of his sentence reflects broader regional struggles against government repression and the upholding of human rights. It underscores the need for greater protections for political activists in Morocco and the Maghreb region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
