French Prisoner’s Health Deteriorates in Moroccan Jail Amid Extradition Delays

Célia’s ordeal, the younger sister of this 34-year-old Toulousain, began when she learned of her brother’s arrest in Morocco. For 18 months, she has been running to try to get him out of the hell of the Rabat prison, known as "the worst prison in Morocco". Exhausted, after trying everything alongside her counsel, Me Alexandre Parra-Bruguière, she no longer knows which way to turn, reports the newspaper La Dépêche.

At the current stage, things are getting worse and on a daily basis, they are constantly being asked for more documents to finalize her brother’s extradition file, weakened by his health problems, particularly kidney dysfunction. Without even mentioning the medical reason, a delay of 6 to 8 months is mentioned for an extradition file. Except that in Morocco, the file is blocked, because the administration is very slow.

"For an extradition, we need five ministerial signatures and diplomatic measures, especially to put everything in place with the escorts. I am in constant contact with the Directorate of Criminal Affairs and Pardons of the Moroccan Ministry of Justice, as well as the liaison magistrate at the embassy who has made a lot of efforts. But even the two of us can’t do it," she confesses.

For her lawyer, it is a deliberate will not to see him with his client: "They asked me for an uncountable number of papers that I provided and they retorted that his file number was missing, even though only the Moroccan ministry has it in its possession. For six months, I have been asking for a visiting right that is automatically refused to me. "I have the clear impression that they don’t want to see me there," estimates Me Parra-Bruguière.

Célia’s fear is intensifying as border closures are announced. Given the lack of hygiene at work and the extreme fragility of her brother, the Toulousaine has only one fear: to see him contract COVID-19. Now known to several families of detainees, she is considering a collective battle. She also recommends an emergency medical repatriation flight before the borders become completely impermeable.