Morocco
Moroccan appeal court upholds editor’s prison sentencePosted Oct 26 2011
Rachid Nini, editor of the daily Al-Massae, is facing a one-year prison sentence and fine of 1,000 dirhams (90 euros or about $125) for disinformation. The ruling was upheld by a Casablanca appeals court on Monday, Oct. 24.
According to the Reporters Without Borders, Nini, held since April 28, was convicted on June 9 after he published reports accussing prominent figures of corruption, including associates of the king. He also wrote news stories about Intelligence Chief Abdellatif Hammouchi. In addition, he called for the repeal of the anti-terrorism law.
Nini’s legal team said that he was surprised and saddened by the appeal verdict and that expressed the hope that his client would be pardoned during the Islamic festival of Eid al-Kebir, in accordance with tradition.
However, his colleagues believe the rejection of Nini’s appeal does not bode well for press freedom in Morocco and that the country is in dire need of reforms to ensure a climate favorable to journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders.
The press freedom organization is still awaiting a response to its second request submitted in mid-September. The first request in late June to visit him was rejected by the prosecutor’s office because of a legal technicality.