Morocco intimidates foreign trial observers in Western Sahara
21/10/2009 | Newsletter
Today Moroccan security forces prevented Western Saharan citizens and human rights defenders, include CODAPSO vice-president Hmad Hamad, from attending the trial of Mr Mohamed Berkane in Moroccan court of appeals in El-Aiun.
However, the hearing was attended by two international observers from Spain, Ms. Ruth Sebastien Garcia and Mr. Simplico Del Rosario Garcia.
Given his open-ended hunger strike, Mr Berkane entered the courtroom in poor health though he was able to shout slogans supporting the Western Saharan independence movement, the Polisario Front.
The Moroccan court sentenced Mr. Berkan to one year in prison, upholding the decision of first degree court.
We recall that Mr. Berkan was arrested 16 September after attending a peaceful demonstration in Ma’atala square in El-Aaiun in the Moroccan occupied Western Sahara.
The Spanish observers were harassed by Moroccan security forces, along with their host, Hmad Hamad, visiting his house and warning them not to attend the trial of the « separatist ».
