Posted
September 18th, 2008
by
***UPDATE: English PEN welcomes the verdict of a Moroccan court of appeal to overturn the two-year sentence against internet writer Mohammed Erraji, on 18 September 2008, and would like to thank all those who sent appeals on his behalf. ***
English PEN welcomes the release, pending appeal, of internet writer Mohammed Erraji on 10 September 2008. However, we continue to protest the two-year jail sentence and fine of 5,000 dirhams (430 euros) handed down to him on 8 September 2008 for criticising King Mohammed in an online article. English PEN considers the sentence to be in violation of his right to free expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Morocco, and calls for the charges to be dropped and the sentence to be quashed.
According to our information, the appeal hearing for internet writer Mohamed Erraji, was to be held on 16 September 2008. The outcome is not yet known. Erraji was arrested on 4 September 2008 for an article published in the online news website Hespress (www.hespress.com) accusing Morocco’s monarchy of encouraging a culture of dependency. He was reportedly tried in the southern city of Agadir without the presence of a defence lawyer, at a trial which did not conform with international standards of fairness.
To read the previous alert on this case, please click here.
Please send appeals (preferably in French):
• Protesting the two-year sentence handed down to internet writer Mohammed Erraji at a trial which fell far short of international standards;
• demanding the charges to be dropped and the sentence to be quashed, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Appeals to:
Abbas El Fassi
Le Premier Ministre
Palais Royal
Touarga
Rabat
Morocco
Fax : 212 037 768656
M. Abdelwahad Radi
Le Ministre de la Justice
Place El Mamoumia
Rabat
Morocco
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Morocco in your country if possible:
His Excellency Mohammed Belmahi
49 Queen’s Gate Garden
London,
SW7 5NE.
Fax: 020 7225 3862
Originally posted with the url: www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/bulletins/moroccointernetwriterreleasedpendingappeal/
