Asfari appeal delayed, free-speech trial of two students in Casablanca tomorrow
Naama Asfari
The Court of Appeals in Tiznit, southern Morocco, postponed to 21 December 2009 the trial of Sahrawi activist Ennaâma Asfari, co-chairman of the committee French-Sahraoui Committee for the Respect of Freedoms and Human rights in Western Sahara (CORELSO).
The hearing witnessed an intense Moroccan security presence but also a number of international legal observers.
The hearing was attended by ASVDH Secretary General Mr. Brahim Sabbar.
Mr Asfar was sentenced by the Court of First Instance in the city of Tan-Tan, southern Morocco, to four months prison after charges of assaulting a police officer at a checkpoint north of Tan Tan.
Moroccan authorities often use this false charge against Sahrawi human rights activists intimidate them from doing their work.
Andi Talbi (file)
In other news, Moroccan authorities detained Saharawi activists in Boujdour for organizing demonstrations in the city. The Moroccan authorities accuse one of them, Andi Talbi, of being in close relationship with
Sultana Khaya, a member of the ASVDH and vice president of Future Forum of Sahrawi Women (FAFESA). Andi has been released this morning, Wednesday, after spending all night at the police center of Boujdour for questioning.
Trial of Dihani Abdellah et Toumi Baba Ali :
Baba Ali Toumi and Dihani Abdullah
Both students will appear tomorrow, Thursday, November 19, before the Court of Appeal of Casablanca. They were arrested on 28 October 2009 on a train running from Fez to Marrakesh. After a very reasoned discussion with a staff member of the royal palace, they had been forced them to leave the train mid-way at the station of Casablanca where security members were waiting, accusing them of insulting sacred doctrines of the country. ASVDH calls on international human rights organizations, European diplomatic representations and missions accredited in Rabat to send representatives to attend their trial. The trial comes in the context of a virulent campaign led by the Moroccan State against the Sahrawi human rights activists and intellectuals.
