US YouTuber Detained in Morocco Begins Hunger Strike, Receives Consular Aid

The spokesperson for the US diplomatic representation specifies that his services "provide appropriate consular assistance to him and his wife, as we take seriously our responsibility to serve our citizens abroad," reports the Spanish news agency EFE. YouTuber Chafik Omerani is receiving this assistance because he has decided to start a hunger strike since last Saturday.

On Tuesday, he appeared before the Court of First Instance in Casablanca. The hearing was postponed to February 25th. Wanted for having "published a series of videos containing contempt for constitutional institutions, constituted bodies and civil servants," Mr. Omerani had been arrested upon his arrival at Rabat-Salé airport in the night of February 6 to 7. He is currently detained at the local Ain Sebaâ (Okacha) prison.