Morocco: UPDATE human rights defender Chekib El-Khiari receives three-year prison sentence and 753,930 Dirham fine

According to the official news agency MAP, on 24 June 2009,the Casablanca criminal court of first instance sentenced Mr Chekib El-Khiari to three years in prison and ordered him to pay 753,930 Dirhams to Moroccan customs. The court said that Khayari deposited money in foreign banks without the authorization of Morocco's Exchange Office.

Further Information

Chekib El-Khiari was also suspected of "taking sums of money from foreign parties for leading a media campaign aimed at damaging and discrediting efforts deployed by the Moroccan authorities in the fight against drug trafficking," said MAP. According to the source, El-Khiari's lawyers intend to appeal against the court's verdict.

Front Line calls for the release of Chekib El-Khiari since it believes that he has been prosecuted solely because of his legitimate work in the defense of human rights, specially his work in relation to corruption and drug trafficking.

For further information on the case, refer to previous Front Line appeals:

New charges brought against human rights defender Mr Chekib El-Khiari

Continued detention of human rights defender Mr Chekib El-Khiari