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Rabat – Morocco’s General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration has denied claims that Senegalese inmates held at El Arjat 1 and El Arjat 2 prisons have gone on a hunger strike or were denied medical care.
The response came after a lawyer representing the Senegalese prisoners posted on social media, alleging that the inmates had started a hunger strike on Friday, that one prisoner was denied medical treatment, and that lawyers were prevented from meeting their clients inside the prison.
The prison authority said the hunger strike claim is false and explained that the inmates have been receiving their regular meals provided by the prison administration since Friday and continue to do so.
The statement added that the prisoners, who are being prosecuted for charges related to hooliganism at the AFCON final, are also buying food from the prison store using money deposited into their accounts by consular representatives from Senegal.
Regarding the allegation that one inmate was denied medical care, the delegation said this claim is also false. According to the statement, the prisoner was transferred immediately to Al-Razi Psychiatric Hospital on Thursday after returning from court. He was examined by a specialist doctor, and the prison administration purchased the medication prescribed to him.
The prison authority also said that lawyers are allowed to meet with the Senegalese inmates in line with the law and during official working hours at both El Arjat 1 and El Arjat 2 prisons.
It further warned that the Senegalese detainee’s defense team was spreading misleading information to confuse public opinion. The authority said these claims are part of an organized campaign linked to the ongoing legal proceedings against the inmates, who are facing charges related to recent riot incidents at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex.
The Public Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance in Rabat denied similar claims last week about Senegalese detainees being on hunger strike, calling them false and misleading, and clarifying that the detainees are receiving meals normally. The Prosecutor also said all delays in the case were made at the defendants’ own request to prepare their defense and secure legal representation, stressed that court hearings were held with a sworn interpreter present, and noted that the detainees understand and speak French.
The statement also rejected claims that police interrogations took place without interpretation, explaining that the law allows questioning without an interpreter when officers speak the detainees’ language and that all statements were properly translated.
The AFCON final was marred by chaos and disorder after the Senegalese coach and players left the pitch for around 15 minutes mid-game after Morocco was awarded a penalty. During this time, Senegalese fans resorted to violence to storm the pitch and physically assaulted stadium staff.
Police arrested at least 18 Senegalese fans following these events.
