Moroccan Officer Granted Stay in Spain Amid Asylum Appeal Over Alleged Discrimination

In his asylum application, the Moroccan police officer explains that he had to leave the kingdom after being a victim of discrimination and racism within the Moroccan police due to his Riffian origin. He says he fears being tortured if he returns to Morocco. The Office of Asylum and Refugees (OAR) did not consider these reasons and rejected the Moroccan officer’s application, deeming his statements contradictory, implausible, and unconvincing.

The Moroccan officer is not giving up. He is appealing this decision before the National Court. In an order dated May 23, the Spanish court authorized the Moroccan to reside on Spanish territory until the appeal filed by his lawyer is resolved. During this period, the Moroccan police officer will be able to move freely in the autonomous city with his asylum seeker status.

The Court recalled that asylum is granted when there is "a serious risk to the life or physical integrity of the foreigner" in their country of origin. Regarding the case of the Moroccan police officer, it considers that this risk cannot be dismissed outright without a more in-depth analysis of the reasons given by the officer, which correspond to political grounds for obtaining refugee status.

Reports from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirm that the officer presented a detailed and coherent account of the alleged fears and that his case had a significant media impact both in Spain and Morocco. For these reasons, the Court decided to authorize the applicant to remain on Spanish territory until a final judgment is rendered on his situation.