Moroccan King’s Honoree Embroiled in Journalist’s Controversial Trial

A big surprise that completely upsets the first hearing of journalist Hajar Raïssouni’s trial. The incriminated gynecologist had been decorated by King Mohammed VI four years earlier.

According to a source from H24Info, Myriam Moulay Rachid Sellami, the lawyer for gynecologist obstetrician Dr. Mohamed Jamal Belkeziz, 68, arrested on Saturday, September 7, in the same case, argued that her client had all the guarantees to benefit from provisional release.

In her pleading, she stated that he had been awarded the Wissam Al-Moukafa Al-watania (National Order of Merit) by King Mohammed VI in 2015.

So Myriam Moulay Rachid Sellami wonders: "Could the King have decorated a doctor accustomed to performing abortions?"

Ultimately, the Court of First Instance in Rabat postponed the trial of journalist Hajar Raïssouni, who is being held in detention for "illegal abortion" and "extramarital sexual relations" by one week.

While she was with her fiancé in a medical office in Rabat, the Akhbar Al Yaoum journalist was arrested by the police "in flagrante delicto of illegal abortion in the presence of the gynecologist and a nurse" on August 30.

Since then, Hajar Raïssouni and the other detainees have received a shower of support. Many activists and civil society actors angrily cry out in outrage and also denounce a political trial.