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Rabat – The Casablanca’s Court of Appeal issued a decision on Tuesday to postpone the trial of journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui to October 17, after the defense committee refused to allow national television channels to film the hearing.
The count delayed the trial pending the preparation of the defense and the revisions of the defense’s requests relating to the illegal filming of the hearing.
In his appeal to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, attorney Ishaq Shariya said that the decision to film the trial was a “flagrant violation of the law,” as the defense committee was not informed of the presence of the National Broadcasting and Television Company in the hearing session.
“The cameras that were placed in the courtroom are directed toward the defendant and the defense establishment, without permission from them to shoot,” Shariya said.
Meanwhile, El Mahdaoui said, “I refuse to be filmed by the first and second channels because they are disrespectful and unprofessional and serve the agendas of those who arrested me.”
On September 12, after a heated trial, the Al Hoceima’s Court of Appeal issued a verdict that increased El Mahdaoui‘s sentence from three months to one year in jail, for “inciting for participation in a banned protest” and “breaking the law through speeches and shouting in public places.”
Casablanca’s court has refused to grant him provisional release, his defense committee indicated.
