Moroccan Minister Criticizes Release of Kuwaiti Rape Suspect, Later Retracts Statement

During a conference on "Human Rights Achievements in Morocco: Implementation Review and Future Challenges", organized at the Casablanca Book Fair, Minister Ramid went far in his comments on this case.

According to the government member, it is "a serious fault that justice must not commit". "If there is a case of rape committed by a Moroccan or foreign citizen, for which provisional release has been granted, this can only be a serious fault that justice must not commit," he specified.

After passing judgment on the case, the minister backtracked and wanted to correct the shot. According to H24info.ma, Mustapha Ramid then came back, after the conference, to specify that he was speaking in general terms, and not about the particular case of the Kuwaiti. He maintains that he does not have precise data on this case: "I am not in a position to interfere in a case pending before the courts, because I am bound by the obligation of confidentiality".

The statement by the Minister of State came two days after the media outing of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, government spokesman. Hassan Abyaba, for his part, opposed any comment on the subject, simply saying that "the case is in the hands of justice and the government cannot intervene".