Moroccan Journalist’s Appeal in Sexual Assault Case Delayed, Sparks Fair Trial Concerns

Scheduled to open on October 13, the hearing was postponed to October 27 "to give the lawyers time to prepare the defense," said his lawyer, Lahsen Dadsi, quoted by AFP, adding that the defense has also filed a new request for the provisional release of the journalist imprisoned since May 2020.

In a statement, Reporters Without Borders and the journalist’s support committee, composed of activists from various local human rights defense associations, called for a "fair" appeal trial, while again demanding his release.

In pre-trial detention since May 2020 following a complaint from an LGBT activist for "sexual assault", Soulaimane Raissouni, 49, was sentenced to five years in prison. His lawyer stressed that he is "recovering his health" after the days of suspended hunger strike in August.