Rabat, Morocco (TMT)- The editor-in-chief of Moroccan paper Akhbar Al Yaoum was arrested yesterday at around 18:30 Moroccan time in Casablanca by undercover police officers.
Around 15 undercover agents arrested Raissouni while he was walking near his house.
Reports on local media say he was arrested following a Moroccan gay lodging a complaint against him, accusing him of sexually abusing him.
However, Freedom Now, an NGO that aims to defend the freedom of expression in Morocco, said his arrest was politically motivated.
In a statement, Freedom Now stated that Raissouni was arrested in a “Hollywood-like scene,” further stressing that “the authorities arrested Raissouni without providing any judicial document, which is a breach of the Moroccan constitution.”
Freedom Now added, “The arrest was expected given the daring op-ed critiques he writes, and owing to the fact that he was subject to a smear campaign in media affiliated (to those whom he criticizes) six months ago.”
Freedom Now called for his unconditional release.
The Moroccan Times.
