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Rabat – The Court of First Instance in Rabat postponed the trial of journalist Hajar Raissouni to September 16.
Raissouni along with her fiance and three other people appeared before the court today, September 9.
Raissouni, a journalist at Akhbar Al Yaoum newspaper, is facing charges of illegal abortion and sexual relations outside marriage. Her fiance, a Sudanese national, is facing similar charges.
The police also arrested a doctor and his two aides for conducting the abortion for Hajar Raissouni. Police arrested the journalist, her fiance, the doctor, and his two aides on August 31.
Read Also: HRW: Hajar Raissouni’s Arrest Violates Her Right to Privacy
The arrest of Raissouni resulted in a nationwide debate, with international NGOs condemning her arrest.
Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have condemned her arrest, calling on the authorities to drop all charges against for an immediate release.
The NGOs argued that her arrest violates her right to privacy.
“Authorities trampled on her right to privacy and apparently sought to smear her reputation,” HRW wrote on Monday 9.
National Human Rights Council (CNDH) also issued a statement today, September 9, saying that it is following the debate on individual freedoms.
The council also condemned the attacks and insults leveled at Raissouni online and in media publications.
CNDH also expressed hopes for the release of Raissouni and her fiance.
CNDH announced that it has hired a representative to observe the trial of Raissouni and her fiance, as well as the doctor and his two aides.
