Morocco: British Tourist Accused of Homosexuality Released From Prison

Marrakech- British tourist Ray Cole was released from a four-month prison sentence today. He was convicted of homosexual intercourse, indecency, and taking indecent photos.

The 70-year old Englishman was convicted based on posts on his Facebook account and photographs on his cell phone. It was not clear if the charges against him were dropped.

The police followed Cole to a bus station where he was arrested with 20-year old Moroccan Jamal Jam Wald Nass. The two met on Facebook. It is not clear whether or not Nass is still in jail.

Cole was on his second visit to see Nass when he was arrested. When questioned by police, the Englishman said the Moroccan was his boyfriend. He posted updates on his Facebook account each day. It was only when the Facebook updates stopped that his family reported him missing and attempts were made to find his whereabouts.

The police initially denied that Ray Cole was in custody. The Guardian also reported that the British consulate was initially denied access to Ray Cole in a Marrakech prison. He had already appeared in court by the time his family found out where he was.

The arrest and conviction of Ray Cole has been widely reported by the BBC, the Guardian, and Daily Mail. Cole’s family thanked the Moroccan government for allowing him to be released.

Homosexuality is legal in the United Kingdom, but not in Morocco. This case is a reminder that Moroccan authorities are taking serious measures to crack down on foreign tourists who consider Morocco a destination for sex tourism.