Rabat - An investigation by the National Brigade of Judiciary Police (BNPJ) in Casablanca has failed to identify the source of the infamous video of detained activist leader Nasser Zefzafi, which shows him exposing his body allegedly to disprove allegations of torture.
Rabat – An investigation by the National Brigade of Judiciary Police (BNPJ) in Casablanca has failed to identify the source of the infamous video of detained activist leader Nasser Zefzafi, which shows him exposing his body allegedly to disprove allegations of torture.
As reported by Moroccan media outlets, the crown prosecutor at the Casablanca court of appeal transferred the results of the BNPJ’s investigation to the court of first instance in Ain Sebaa, Casablanca where zefzafi is currently being detained.
BNPJ’s investigation did not uncover who filmed the video, where it was filmed, or who sent it to the news website Barlamane that first published it. During police questioning, the director of the online media outlet refused to reveal the identity of his source.
Abdelaziz Nouidi, a member of Zefzafi’s defense team, declined Morocco World News’ request for comment on the results of the investigation.
In July, the leaked video of Zefzafi stirred public uproar. It shows the prominent figure of the Hirak Rif protest movement showing his bare arms, legs, chest, and back to the camera. While the video was muted, Barlemane’s accompanying article explained that it was taken to disprove his lawyer’s accusations of torture made days earlier.
The video was met with public anger by Zefzafi’s lawyers, human activists and Hirak Rif supporters, many of whom called it “degrading.”
Zefzafi’s supporters pointed an accusing finger to the administration of the Ain Sebaa prison, where Zefzafi is detained. However, the Penitentiary Administration quickly denied that the incident took place in the prison.
Another accusing finger was pointed to BNJP. Following his arrest in Al Hoceima in late May, Zefzafi was transferred to the police brigade’s headquarters in Casablanca for further questioning. He was held there before his incarceration in Ain Sebaa prison, leading some to suspect the video was filmed while in the police’s custody.
This led supporters of the Rifian activist argued that another police unit should carry out the investigation besides BNJP, in order to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
