Morocco Negotiates Release of 120 Women Detained in Saudi Arabia After Hajj

"We have about 120 women detained in Saudi Arabia. We are negotiating their repatriation to Morocco, and the Saudi authorities have promised to release them after the end of the Hajj season," said Abdellatif Ouahbi. He also assured that diplomatic and judicial negotiations between Morocco and Saudi Arabia are ongoing for their release.

According to his explanations, these women are "prosecuted for charges such as corruption, fraud, alcohol and drug smuggling, etc., and are mainly cases (that) involve complicated human situations." "Among these women, some have children, two of them have cancer, and others are over 55 years old," lamented the minister.

Ouahbi further explained that "the situation of detainees falls under the responsibility of the Minister of Justice." The latter transmits letters rogatory received from foreign judicial authorities to the competent national authorities. "The subject of international letters rogatory personally poses a psychological problem for me. We are currently in discussion with Gulf countries to find the most appropriate formula," he stated.

Article 618 of bill n°02.23 on civil procedure, voted for by 13 deputies and rejected by 6 others, without abstention, defines international letters rogatory from abroad. It stipulates that international letters rogatory from abroad are executed in the same manner as those issued on national territory, in accordance with Moroccan legislation, and respecting the principle of reciprocity. "Letters rogatory to be executed outside the Kingdom are transmitted through diplomatic channels or in accordance with international conventions ratified by Morocco and published in the Official Bulletin," specifies the same article.

On this subject, Ouahbi made it known that the work done by Morocco with Arab countries is only waiting for the final agreement on the ideal formula. "The vision is now almost clear, and all that’s missing is the final agreement on the ideal formula, which should be discussed at the meeting scheduled with Arab Justice Ministers this month," he indicated.