Journalist and activist Omar Radi speaks after a hearing at the Casablanca Courthouse, in Casablanca, Morocco, March 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar, File)
RABAT, Morocco A Casablanca court on Monday convicted prominent journalist and activist Omar Radi on charges of espionage and sexual assault, and sentenced him to six years in prison.
His colleague, Imad Stitou, was convicted of “participation in rape,” and sentenced to 12 months in prison, with six months suspended.
Radi, an investigative journalist jailed since his arrest in July 2020, has denied any wrongdoing. Rights groups say the charges against Radi were politically motivated, and his case has raised concerns about media freedoms in Morocco.
Le journaliste marocain Omar Radi condamné à six ans de prison africanews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from africanews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Agencia EFE
El Tribunal de Apelación de Casablanca condenó hoy a
dos periodistas marroquíes a seis y un año de cárcel, respectivamente, por un delito de violación sobre una colega.
Omar Radi, el principal acusado, ha sido condenado a seis años de cárcel por la violación de Hafsa Boutahar -relación que él asegura que era consentida-, mientras que su colega Imad Stitou ha sido condenado a un año, la mitad de él en libertad condicional, por no denunciar el delito anterior.
Nada más pronunciar la sentencia, la mayoría de la sala, donde abundaban los amigos y familiares de los periodistas, estalló en sollozos o en gritos como “Esta es la justicia de las torturas, no la de las libertades”.
RABAT, Morocco
A Casablanca court on Monday convicted prominent journalist and activist Omar Radi on charges of espionage and sexual assault and sentenced him to six years in prison.
His colleague, Imad Stitou, was convicted of “participation in rape” and sentenced to 12 months in prison, with six months suspended.
Radi, an investigative journalist jailed since his arrest in July 2020, has denied any wrongdoing. Rights groups say the charges against Radi were politically motivated, and his case has raised concerns about media freedoms in Morocco.
Radi was the subject of an Amnesty International report in June 2020 that said Moroccan authorities had unlawfully spied on the journalist through his phone by using sophisticated surveillance software. The Moroccan government disputed the claim.
Morocco: prominent journalist Omar Radi sentenced to 6 years in prison msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.