Western Saharan students, imprisoned for expressing opinions, transfered
26/01/2010 | Information-Update, Political Prisoners
Baba Ali Toumi and Abdellah Dihani
ASVDH has learned that the two Sahrawi students Baba Ali Toumi and Abdellah Dihani are now detained in the prison of Ait Meloul south of Agadir. They were previously incarcerated in the prison of Okasha and Berchid near Casablanca.
Their conditions of detention are harsh and not consistent with international or Moroccan law.
The authorities of the prison of Ait Melloul have been deliberately trying to intimidate the research students since their arrival in accordance with instructions and recommendations accompanying the transfer of the two detainees since the prison in Casablanca. The students have been separated since their arrival in the middle of last week. Each lives in a cell with 47 common law prisoners.
The two students were arrested on board a train following a political debate with a man who later presented himself as an officer in the royal palace.
They were quickly sent to the Court of First Instance in Casablanca, which issued a verdict in less than forty-eight hours, condemning them to a year in prison. The Court of Appeal had then reduced the sentence to six months in prison.
The Ait Melloul prison authorities have also placed heavy burdens on their families during visits, conducting body searches, including underwear. These acts of intimidation have been accompanied by racist words and insults.
The Moroccan authorities have seized all the books and documents with which both students were preparing for their University thesis, and has refused to deliver them to their families, arguing they were lost.
ASVDH strongly denounces these repressive measures affecting human rights defenders, intellectuals, workers, and other Sahrawi citizens.
We reiterate our demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the Group of Edegja Lachgar and all other Saharawi political prisoners.
El-Aiun Western Sahara
26/01/2010
