Moroccan Journalist Remains Jailed in Controversial Abortion Case

The hearing on September 16 was held while outside a crowd of about fifty protesters, made up of human rights activists and journalists, had mobilized to demand the release of Hajar Raïssouni and the repeal of the laws criminalizing abortion.

The hearing that opened in courtroom 1 of the Court was quickly suspended due to technical problems, before resuming an hour later in another room. During the debates, the lawyers contested the flagrante delicto.

"There is no report in which Hajar Raïssouni acknowledges the abortion. Only a report from the Judicial Police that she refused to sign mentions abortion. It cannot therefore be taken into account," pleaded Me Nouidi.

The other lawyers of the defense committee, according to TelQuel, subsequently requested the dismissal of all prosecutions and the release of Hajar Raïssouni as well as the four other defendants, namely her fiancé, the doctor accused of having performed the act, his secretary and his nursing assistant.

The lawyers pleaded the non-compliance with the criminal procedure during their arrest on August 31. The hearing will resume on September 23 and may locate all the parties involved. Meanwhile, the debate on the subject continues within public opinion.