Rabat – An Algerian journalist was arrested by police on Sunday during a demonstration in the city of Nador over suspicion of inciting local residents to protest.
Djamel Alilat, a journalist working for the Algerian French-language daily El Watan, known for its anti-Morocco stances, was filming and taking pictures of the protest held in support for the demonstrations in Al Hoceima.
According to Moroccan media, the journalist faces deportation. During the protest, police confiscated a digital camera which the Algerian journalist was using to film the demonstration.
A police source said the journalist could not provide any official documents from the Moroccan Ministry of Communication giving him authorization to do any professional news coverage.
The same source added that the journalist was placed under custody for investigation to determine the nature of his connection with the ongoing protests in some parts of the Rif.
Early investigations revealed Alilat had been staying in a house that belonged to one of an activist in the protest, leading some to speculate that the journalist might be suspected of spying.
