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Rabat – The public prosecutor at the Court of First Instance in Rabat has denied Moroccan activist Maati Monjib’s allegations of an “arbitrary” travel ban, saying the academic-turned activist is not allowed to leave Moroccan territory because he is the primary subject of an ongoing investigation.
According to the prosecutor, Monjib is still the subject of ongoing legal proceedings related to money laundering.
“After his detention in connection with this case, the investigating judge granted him provisional release in exchange for subjecting him to two judicial control measures, namely closing the borders to him and withdrawing his passport.”
Monjib left prison in March after serving four months on money laundering charges. In January, Monjib received a one-year sentence for “fraud, money laundering, and undermining the integrity of the state.”
The activist carried out a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment, denying all accusations against him.
As Monjib’s health deteriorated, the Moroccan judge decided to release him on bail while withdrawing his passport to prevent him from traveling abroad.
The prosecutor said that Monjib’s defense asked the court to remove all restrictions Monjib’s bank account and other assets on October 7.
The defense team also called on the court to release Monjib’s passport and allow him to travel.
But the investigating judge declined the defense’s request on October 13.
“Maati Monjib went to Rabat-Sale airport in order to leave the national territory, although the decision to prevent him from traveling is still in force, as long as the investigative judge did not agree to his request,” the prosecutor said.
He argued that Monjib’s allegations of an arbitrary travel ban were inaccurate, emphasizing that his assets have been under restriction as part of the ongoing investigation.
“Based on these facts, Mr. Maati Monjib’s allegation of an arbitrary travel ban is contrary to reality and the truth, since the ban is based on the order of the investigative judge, whose effect is still valid,” the prosecutor noted.
In response, Monjib took to social media to protest against the travel ban. Pointing to his declining health, he pledged to start a hunger strike and said the ban is preventing him from traveling to France for hospitalization.
