Morocco blocks entry of pro-Polisario activists
Local authorities in Layoune on March 15th stopped three Spanish citizens from entering Moroccan land through the Hassan I Airport after it was found that they were supporting the separatist Polisario Front, according to sources, HESPRESS English reported on March 15th.
The citizens were the lawyers María Dolores and Flora Ramos and Silvestre Manuel Suárez, who is a politician. This incident took place against a backdrop of rising efforts from European activists and politicians to enter Morocco’s Sahara, sparking concerns about their intentions.
Last month, four members of the European Parliament and two of their aides were expelled by Morocco after they tried to go to Laayoune with no formal authorization.
But whilst the idea of a European activist’s presence has prompted concerns, earlier this month a Morrocan activist, had his jail sentence increased.
Said Ait Mahdi, an activist leading a group for victims of a 2023 earthquake in Morocco, had his prison sentence increased to one year by an appeals court on March 4th, according to The New Arab and agencies.
He was initially sentenced to three months for defamation, insult, and the publication of false allegations aimed at infringing on privacy.
Ait Mahdi has been in detention since December 23rd after criticizing the Moroccan government’s response to the earthquake disaster.
In January, a Marrakech court sentenced him to three months in jail, but the sentence was extended to one year on appeal.
The New Arab and agencies, HESPRESS English
