Moroccan Activist Arrested for Flag Insult and Territorial Integrity Charges

Better known by the nickname Bouda Ghassan, the defendant is originally from Aguelmous. "A former left-wing activist within the National Union of Moroccan Students, he is known to the police for his many arrests attributed to his commitment to social movements. He also participated in all the recent mobilizations, including those of Al Hoceima and Jerada," indicates Telquel.

He was presented to the prosecutor after his arrest on December 20, for "insulting the flag and attacking the territorial integrity," as can be read in the summons to appear, from the court of first instance of Khénifra.

According to Mohamed Zendour, president of the Khénifra section of the Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH), this arrest would be linked to "a message that Bouda had posted after the insult to the flag during the Hirak march in Paris, where he said that the outrage aroused could have served for other social dramas of everyday life". The publication in question is now untraceable on Bouda Ghassan’s Facebook profile.

The first hearing is scheduled for December 30 following the postponement obtained by his lawyer in order to consult her client’s file. "Morocco as a democratic country has ratified several international pacts that protect freedom of expression. It’s deplorable!" reacted for his part the president of the local AMDH.