Hundreds Protest in Morocco Demanding Release of Jailed Journalist Omar Radi

Among the protesters were journalists, human rights activists and political figures. They came to protest the arrest of journalist Omar Radi, who was detained and then brought before the court of first instance in Casablanca on December 26. According to his lawyers, the 33-year-old journalist is being prosecuted for a tweet in which he denounced the verdict of Judge Lahcen Tolfi against the Hirak activists, published last April. Whether in Rabat, Casablanca or even Paris, where the demonstrations took place, the activists chanted slogans calling for the release of Omar Radi and the respect of freedom of expression, reports Telquel.

Omar Radi, who is said to be suffering from health problems according to his relatives, was denied provisional release at the first hearing. But he was able to see a doctor at the Oukacha prison and had access to some of his medications, according to sources close to the journalist. However, he will only be able to receive visits from his family from January 1, 2020, the day before his next hearing.

The case is seriously criticized by human rights organizations, who believe that freedom of expression is in danger, especially for artists, journalists and dissidents who are targeted for their social media posts. This is the case of Human Rights Watch (HRW), whose Middle East and North Africa director urges the authorities to "immediately release" the journalist and activist. For Sarah Leah Whitson, "his detention and trial are unjustified".

Before the arrest of Omar Radi, the YouTuber Moul Kaskita had been sentenced a few days earlier to four years in prison for "insulting the king". There was also the arrest of the activist Abdelali Bahmad for "insulting the flag and undermining territorial integrity". The journalist could be informed of his fate on January 2 at the end of the hearing, the same source said.