Amazigh Cultural Association in America

Once more in a part of Morocco that may be labeled as worthless, freedom of expression and demonstration are paid at the price of fallacious charges and unacceptable sentences.  Ten Amazigh activists were arrested and sentenced Thursday February 21, 2008 by the court of Morocco to a total of 34 years in prison. These ruthless sentences were handed down following the widespread protest that became known as “Tagrest Taberrkant” (the “Black Winter") of Bumal-n-Dades and of the demonstrations of Warzazat.  Here is the verdict rendered by the Makhzenian justice!
-          OUDALI Younes, high-school student:  6 years of imprisonment.
-          OROUZANE Brahim and AIT-HSSEIN Mohamed (immigrants) 1-year imprisonment each.
-          OUBALI El-Houssein, ATIL Mostafa, ELOUARDI Mostafa, AIT-SAID My Brahim, CHAOUKI Mimoun, CHARIF Abdenacer: 4-year imprisonment each.

Worst of all, the teenager ADJIK Noureddine, a high school student was not even given the benefit of a deferred sentence so that he could complete his schooling. He got 2 years!

For the record, these activists were arrested and accused of the following:  Unauthorized gatherings, civil disobedience, burning of the national flag, obstruction of public spaces, destruction of state property, humiliation of a civil servant while on duty. Clearly nothing that deserves more than a fine and perhaps a few days of community service…in a civilized country. The list of victims of the Moroccan style apartheid goes on.

These Let us recall that ten political prisoners of the MCA (Amazigh Cutural Movement) in Ameknas still await - after a new postponement - their turn in front of judges that are helpless under the pressure of the Makhzen.

Source: www.asekka.net

Translated from French by ACAA

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