Belgian-Moroccan Man Released After 12-Year Terrorism Sentence in Morocco

It was on August 1, 2008 that Ali Aarrass was arrested in the Spanish enclave of Melilla and extradited two years later to Morocco, where his trial took place. At the end of the trial, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for "belonging to a group intending to commit terrorist acts". But he appealed his conviction and his sentence was reduced to 12 years. Now 58 years old, he has repeatedly denounced the conditions of his detention and proclaimed his innocence.

His sister, Farida Aarrass, confined in Melilla in the Spanish enclave bordering Morocco, confirmed the information to RTBF, but regrets not being able to embrace her brother after so many years. "Unfortunately, we will not be able to welcome him as we had hoped. But I am delighted to know that he will finally be able to take a breath of fresh air, scan the horizon in the distance and finally feel free."

Given the health situation in Morocco, Ali Aarrass will not be able to immediately join his loved ones. He will have to wait for the end of the state of health emergency and the reopening of the country’s borders.