Sentencing of three Saharawi political detainees postponed to January 9, 2008

05 Dec 2007 | Information/Update, Political Prisoners

El-Ayoune-Western Sahara

The trial of three Saharawi political prisoners, Mr. Mohamed BOUTABAA, Mr. Nafai SAH and Mr. Mohamed EBOUSSATI, was postponed by the first degree court of of El-Ayoune to January 9, 2008. The three political prisoners appeared today, Wednesday, December 5, 2007, before the court, and were supported by a group of Sahrawi lawyers and six international observers (five Spanish and one Swiss). The trial took place, as usual, under extraordinary measures and a strong presence Moroccan security services.

We recall that Mr. Mohamed BOUTABAA is accused of having set fire to a military-car, while Mr. Nafai SAH and Mr. Mohamed ELBOUSSATI were accused of having set fire a police car.

These three Sahrawi political prisoners said they will begin a 48 hour hunger strike Thursday, December 6, 2007 in order to claim their visitation rights and their rights to be treated as political prisoners.