Nearly 300 rights advocates have signed a petition urging Morocco to release activist Fouad Abdelmoumni, sentenced to six months for allegedly spreading false information online. The petition claims he should have been charged under the press code instead. Notable signatories argue that his sentence is part of a broader effort to suppress free expression in the region.
In Tunisia, nearly 300 rights advocates and experts from North Africa and France have signed a petition urging the Moroccan government to release activist Fouad Abdelmoumni from prison. Abdelmoumni was sentenced to six months incarceration in March for allegedly spreading false claims online, specifically regarding Moroccan espionage against France, which he posted on Facebook.
The petition, which has accumulated 295 signatures as of Monday, states, “Abdelmoumni should have been prosecuted under the press code, which does not provide for prison sentences. But he was charged under the penal code.” If the appeals court upholds the verdict, he will be taken into custody.
The signers, including notable figures such as Rony Brauman, Rony Brauman, French-Tunisian historian Sophie Bessis, and Tunisian activists Mokhat Trifi and Sana Ben Achour, emphasize that this case reflects a broader “repressive policy” among regional governments intended to stifle proponents of freedom of expression and human rights.
Their call extends beyond Abdelmoumni to demand the annulment of his sentence and the release of all political prisoners throughout Morocco and other Maghreb nations. The activist’s post, made during a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron, received backlash from prosecutors who deemed his comments detrimental to national interests, constituting a criminal offense.
These charges have arisen amid past accusations against Morocco for allegedly using Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to surveil notable figures, including President Macron. These claims, reported by Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International, were dismissed by Morocco as unfounded and erroneous, despite the developments associated with national security issues stemming from alleged espionage.
The petition advocating for Fouad Abdelmoumni’s release highlights the significant concerns regarding freedom of expression and human rights in Morocco. With a growing call from regional rights advocates, the case has emerged as a critical indicator of the repressive measures facing activists in North Africa. The plea extends for the annulment of his sentence and the liberation of political prisoners, reflecting a focused effort to challenge governmental policies that restrict democratic freedoms.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
