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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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05 November 2009

PRESS RELEASE: MOROCCO – 12 Moroccan students released after their 20 year prison term

Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) welcomes the release of the12 Moroccan students from Bou Rkyaz prison in Fez.

They are, Yahya AlAbdalaoui, Mohammed Allilaoui, Ahmed Attaj, Belkasim Azikaki, Mostapha Housayni, Mohammed Belhadi, Noreddine Attaj, Mohammed Azzaoui, Mohammed Alghazali, Ali Hidaoui, Almoutawakil Belkhadir and Belkasim Altanouri.

The men were released last Sunday after completion of their sentence.

The men were young students when arrested and imprisoned in 1991 accused of murdering another student. The trial contained numerous inconsistencies, and at one point two of the students were cleared of all charges, however, in a later hearing they were all found guilty and sentenced to 20 years. Considering the inconsistencies, it is believed that theirs was a political case rather than criminal, since the students were affiliated with the JSM (Justice and Spirituality Movement, Al adl wa al Ihsan).

It has been reported that the ex prisoners were prevented from addressing the public. This disturbing development is reminiscent of apartheid South Africa and oppressive house arrest policies.

IHRC will be monitoring their progress in the hope that they will be valued as any other law abiding Moroccan citizen.

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh states:

“We welcome the release of the 12 Moroccan students. We call on the Moroccan authorities to respect their freedom of movement and expression and to allow them to get on with their lives.”

For more information please contact the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44)7958 522196 email: info@ihrc.org.[ENDS]

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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org