Doha – Morocco received 60 young migrants on Monday after their release from Algerian prisons and detention centers, where some had spent over three years behind bars. The transfer took place at the Zouj Beghal border crossing, also known as “Colonel Lotfi” on the Algerian side.
According to the Moroccan Association for Aid to Migrants in Difficult Situations in Oujda, which monitors cases of missing and detained Moroccan nationals across migration routes in Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria, the operation was conducted in two phases.
The released detainees came from various Moroccan cities, including Fez, Bouarfa, Oujda, Berkane, Taza, Ksar El-Kebir, Mohammedia, and others. Hassan Ammari, president of the Association, reported that “some of them had served more than three years and six months in prison, plus one year in administrative detention.”
Ongoing cases and humanitarian concerns
The Association currently manages over 480 cases of detained Moroccans in Algeria. Additionally, six bodies remain in Algerian morgues, including two young women from Morocco’s Oriental region, awaiting repatriation pending judicial and administrative procedures.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently visited a group of detained Moroccan migrants in Algeria following a request from the Association. The humanitarian organization’s involvement came after reports of concerning detention conditions, including lack of medical care, communication restrictions with families, and limited legal representation.
Many of the detainees were craftsmen before their arrest and faced serious charges including human trafficking, money laundering, illegal immigration, and criminal gang formation. The Association has highlighted that these individuals “suffer from inhumane conditions” and face trials without proper legal defense or assistance.
The organization also reported that detainees’ families have fallen victim to fraud by lawyers who collected fees without providing adequate information about case progress.
This release follows a previous transfer in September when Algeria returned 22 Moroccan citizens. The Moroccan League for Human Rights, affiliated with the Istiqlal Party, had previously advised nationals against traveling to Algeria, stating that “from a human rights perspective, Algeria is not a safe country.”
Algerian authorities regularly announce the arrest of Moroccan nationals on charges of “espionage,” “irregular migration,” or “human trafficking.” The recent releases occur amid ongoing efforts by both countries’ consulates in Algiers, Oran, and Tlemcen to facilitate the deportation of remaining detainees following an agreement between the two nations.
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