An activist and human rights defender arrested in Morocco for spreading “false information”

Abdelmumni had accused Rabat on social networks of using espionage and migration against France

Oct. 31 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Moroccan authorities have arrested the activist and Human Rights defender Fuad Abdelmumni, coordinator of the Moroccan Support Group for Political Prisoners (HIMAM), after opening an investigation against him for “spreading false information.”

The prosecutor general before the court of first instance of Casablanca has ordered the activist to be held in police custody – whom he did not name directly – for being “suspected of having committed criminal acts punishable by law.”

The investigation against the activist is being carried out by the National Judicial Police Brigade. The Prosecutor’s Office will ensure that “the necessary legal measures are adopted in light of the results” of the investigations, according to the state news agency MAP.

The NGO HIMAM has indicated on social networks that this “arbitrary detention”, which occurred in Rabat the day before, is part of a series of harassment actions against Abdelmumni “designed to take revenge for his bold positions in favor of freedom.” of expression and Human Rights”.

“This arrest marks a new escalation in the policy of repression carried out by the authorities against human rights activists and political actors in the country,” he said in a statement in which he called for his “immediate” release.

For its part, the anti-corruption NGO Transparency Morocco, of which Abdelmumni was general secretary, has assured in a statement that “reporting arbitrary practices and systemic corruption” in the country “does not constitute a crime or an offense.”

“Silencing critical and opposition voices is not a solution. On the contrary, attacks and violations of Human Rights can only lead to regressive and dramatic situations for Morocco,” he stressed, calling for the “immediate and unconditional” release of the activist.

Before his arrest, Abdelmumni published a comment on his Facebook profile in which he assured that Rabat “uses all possible pressure, including migration, the repatriation of minors and illegal immigrants, security information, economic interests” or even “the espionage” against France.