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Rabat – Human rights NGOs have condemned “threats” and “insults” from a lawyer and former Human Rights Minister Mohammed Ziane against complainant Najlae Al Faissali.
On Wednesday, a Moroccan court sentenced Ziane to three years in prison and a fine of MAD 5,000 ($500). The court also ruled that Ziane should pay symbolic MAD 1 to the state and MAD 100,000 ($10,549) to Al Faisali, who filed a lawsuit against him for sexual assault.
Al Faissali has faced a variety of what she described as “threats” and “insults” from Ziane and his supporters after she filed a lawsuit against him.
Three NGOs, the Moroccan League for the Defense of Human Rights, Justice Association for a Just Trial, and the Moroccan League for Citizenship and Human Rights, issued a joint statement, condemning publicizing Al Faissali’s case.
According to the joint statement, Al Faissali’s case “would have taken its normal course if it had been separated from the rest of the accusations against Mohammed Zyanne.”
The NGOs urged Ziane to stop “all forms of threats and bullying” against the complainant, stressing their full support for Al Faissali.
Ziane faced several other charges, including defaming people on social media and insulting state institutions. In addition to Al Faissali’s proven charges, Morocco’s Ministry of Interior filed a complaint against Ziane for insulting national security institutions.
Ziane sparked a backlash in December 2020 after calling for the dissolution of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) and the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).
Read Also: Moroccan Court Sentences Former Minister Mohammed Ziane to 3 Years in Prison
