Moroccan Prison Refutes Health Concerns for Detained Journalist Souleiman Raissouni

"Souleiman Raissouni’s state of health is normal, contrary to the information circulated by certain parties according to which he would be dying and immobile," the prison administration said in a clarification published in response to information relayed on social networks.

On May 19, Souleiman Raissouni underwent medical examinations and laboratory tests at the Ibn Roch University Hospital, which revealed that his health is normal, said the head of the penitentiary institution, adding that the person concerned went on foot to the visiting room on Monday to meet with his lawyers.

Furthermore, the management continued, Raissouni has been visited three times by members of the Regional Human Rights Commission (CRDH) and the Moroccan Observatory of Prisons.

"The last visit took place on May 21, 2021," it was specified, also revealing that the members of the CRDH and the Observatory, supported by the officials of the institution and the regional director of the prison administration and reintegration, were unable, however, to convince the journalist to end his hunger strike, due to the negative consequences on his health.

And the management to ensure that the journalist is subject to daily medical monitoring by the medical team of the establishment, and enjoys all his rights guaranteed by law, including the right to walk.

In pre-trial detention for a year, journalist Raissouni has been on a hunger strike for more than a month.