Jailed Moroccan Journalist Omar Radi Ends 21-Day Hunger Strike Due to Health Concerns

Omar Radi, who is due to appear in court on May 18 after two postponements of his trial, "has decided to temporarily suspend his hunger strike," due to "the significant deterioration of his health over the past two days," his father Driss Radi posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

Aged 34 and in detention for nine months, Omar Radi decided to stop eating to protest against the refusal of the justice system to grant him provisional release, rejecting several requests made by his lawyers and postponing his trial twice.

Despite the suspension of his hunger strike, Omar Radi "continues to defend his constitutional right to a fair trial and to be prosecuted while at liberty," his father Driss Radi also noted.

This journalist, who is committed to defending human rights, is being prosecuted in two separate cases, notably on charges of "foreign financing," "undermining the internal security of the State" and "rape" of a fellow journalist.

On the other hand, his colleague, Soulaimane Raissouni, also in detention for eleven months and on a hunger strike for 23 days to obtain provisional release, is continuing his movement.