Imprisoned Sahrawi Journalist’s Health Deteriorates in Moroccan Prison, RSF Demands Release

In a press release, RSF warns about the living and detention conditions of Mohamed Lamine Haddi, a contributor to the RASD television channel, who was imprisoned on November 20, 2010, then sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2013 for the murder of members of the security forces. He had been arrested after he had covered the dismantling by the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) of the Gdim Izik camp near Laâyoune.

"Force-fed after a 78-day hunger strike, the ’Sahrawi’ journalist [...] is in particularly worrying health," the international NGO said. According to it, Mohamed Lamine Haddi - considered by Morocco as an independence activist - began an unlimited hunger strike on January 13 to denounce the mistreatment he claims to be a victim of. According to RSF, the journalist has been force-fed through a nasogastric tube in recent days. The organization for the defense of press freedom also specified that the Moroccan authorities refuse any right of visit to his family.

"The ordeal of Mohamed Lamine Haddi has lasted too long. It is time to put an end to it and to bring out of oblivion a journalist victim of a 45-year-old conflict," declared Christophe Deloire, Secretary General of RSF, warning that the media professional "is now in mortal danger, and he must be released as soon as possible." This is why, "we are launching an emergency appeal for the Moroccan authorities to end his ordeal."