Heavy sentences against Sahrawi political prisoners following unfair trial

17 Apr 2007 | Information/Update, Political Prisoners

The second degree court of El-Ayoune, Western Sahara, pronounced today, Tuesday 17 April 2007, heavy sentences against three Sahrawi political prisoners, and further deferred the trial of six others.

Sahrawi political prisoners Mr. Elwali AMIDANE and Mr. Bachri BEN TALEB, were condemned to five years of prison, whereas Mr. Yahdih ETAROUZI was condemned to one year and half.

At the same time, the Court of Appeal postponed the lawsuit of six other Sahrawi political prisoners to 15 May 2007: Mr. Bhaha Mohamed Salem, Mr. Mohamed Mouloud Elhajaj, Mr. Daida Abdessalam, Mr. Elyazid Ben Ammar, Mr. Sheik Ben Allal and Mr. Zougham Ghali, who all had been condemned to three years of prison by the first degree court on 20 March 2007.

The court of El-Ayoune was encircled by a heavy Moroccan security presence and several Sahrawi citizens, who came to attend the trial, were verbally harassed and prohibited to enter to the court.