A former leading member of the Polisario described the move as a “heinous” act.
Rabat – The Polisario Front continues to commit inhumane acts of humiliation and violations against opposition activists.
In an act designed to humiliate, Polisario Front “security services” violated the privacy of one of the detainees by leaking indecent photos of his wife.
Pro-Polisario news outlet Sawt al Watan (Voice of the Nation) displayed the leaked photos, showing the wife of Fadel Braika in her bedroom. “Security services” took the images from Braika’s mobile phone, after confiscating the phone during his arrest in June.
Braika is one of three activists in prison since June after the Polisario Front arrested them for participating in peaceful protests against Polisario’s violations in Tindouf.
The activists have been in prison since June. The Polisario “authorities” have not brought formal charges against them and there has been no legal process.
Sawt al Watan deleted the article and the leaked photographs of Braika’s wife. The humiliating article called Braika an “agent” for Morocco, accusing him of treason.
The pro-Polisario news outlet published another article, announcing that they had deleted the images following calls from readers condemning the publication.
The second article included an apology to Braika’s wife: “We apologize to the lady and her family for sharing the photos. The reason why we shared the photos is the continuous provocation from traitors.”
Treason charges are one of the most serious charges that a Polisario member can face.
Sentences against Sahrawis accused of treason range from life imprisonment to death.
Braika, along with two other detained Sahrawis, have denied the accusations against them.
Former leading Polisario member Mustafa Salma Ould Sidi Mouloud condemned the publication of the private images, describing it as a “heinous act.”
The Sahrawi called on the Polisario Front to hold the people involved in act responsible in order to preserve the “honor and privacy of the [Braika’s] entire family and tribe.”
Polisario arrested Braika along with Moulay Aba Bouzid, and Mahmoud Zidane in June.
The families of the activists continue to protest the arrests.
On October 20, several women protested the continued detention of the three activists.
The Polisario Front has not responded to the calls for the release of the three activists.
