Moroccan journalist Taoufik Bouachrine jail time extended to 15 years

Jail sentence of a dissident newspaper publisher has been increased to 15 years from 12 years on October 26, over charges of rape and other offences that he denies and says are politically motivated. Named Taoufik Bouachrine, the journalist had been found guilty of human trafficking, abuse of power for sexual purposes, rape and attempted rape. Evidence of the charges includes complaints, testimonies and about 50 videos seized from his office, purporting to show him in a variety of sexual acts. His newspaper, Akhbar Al-Yaum has a history of feuds with the Government.

Read: Australia: Cameroonian Journalist Denied Visa By Immigration Officers

Bouachrine defended by lawyers, UNHCR and Amnesty International

While the charges and evidence against the journalist are serious, he has maintained innocence throughout the trial. Taoufik's defence team reportedly claimed that the evidences and videos were faked. Amongst his defenders was the international human rights group, Amnesty International which called for the publisher's release, saying his imprisonment was a matter of freedom of expression. Another UNHCR working group also claimed that the journalist was a victim of arbitrary detention and judicial harassment. The defence also alleged witness intimidation and lack of evidence which was denied by Moroccan authorities.

Read: PoK Journalists Stage Protests Against Police Raid In Muzaffarabad

Women involved in the case deny allegations, do not appear

The journalist in his earlier works criticized many big personalities like billionaire agriculture minister Aziz Akhannouch and the North African kingdom's ally, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. As the society in Morocco is repressive, trials of sexual harassment and rape are scanty. Four women who were called in by the lawyers denied involvement. Of the involved women, one accused the Police of falsifying her statement and was sentenced for six months in jail. Many refused to appear in the court as well.

Read: Journalist John Pilger Gives Julian Assange's Message

Bouachrine's wife told the media that slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi had warned her husband that his life was in danger in the months before his arrest. She also alleged that Saudi Arabia told the Moroccan government to silence her husband. Prison authorities in Morocco were holding Bouachrine in a form of abusive solitary confinement for more than a year, said the Human Rights Watch. Another journalist was sentenced earlier on charges of abortion and extramarital sex which was pardoned by King Mohammed VI.

Read: Pakistan Blacklists, Expels Global Journalists’ Group Leader