Morocco Expels Spanish Lawyer Observing Sahrawi Trial for Second Time

In less than two weeks, Cristina Martínez has been prevented from going to the Sahara. After a first attempt on August 6, the Spanish lawyer tried again on Sunday, August 18, but was quickly intercepted in the control area of Casablanca Airport, where she was ordered to leave the territory. She will then be sent back to Madrid, reports El Periodico, citing Sahrawi sources.

In reality, Cristina Martínez is on a mission. The Spanish newspaper indicates that she has been mandated by a human rights organization to attend the trial of 9 young people, 8 Sahrawis and 1 Moroccan.

Indeed, they were arrested after the demonstrations of July 19, just after Algeria’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football. Events during which Sabá Mint Ozman, a 23-year-old Sahrawi, lost his life. According to witnesses cited by the same source, he was hit by an auxiliary forces vehicle.

Sent back a first time on the eve of the trial, which was ultimately postponed, Cristina Martinez was hoping to be able to follow it on Monday, August 19. But that was without reckoning with the vigilance of the Moroccan police. "I told them I’m not a criminal. Why not let me in? And the answer was that I’m not welcome in Morocco," the lawyer said.