In Morocco, the concern is mounting about the conditions of detention of Omar Radi, an investigative journalist sentenced in March 2022 to six years in prison in a double case of espionage and rape “trumped up”, according to Reporters Without Borders.
Investigative journalist, known for his investigations into corruption, Omar Radi was sentenced on July 19, 2021, to six years in prison by a court in Casablanca.
The journalists’ defense organization, RSF, denounces a proliferation of restrictive measures against Omar Radi and calls for an immediate end to violations of his rights.
His family warns of “worrying” decisions by the prison authorities.
“Recently, he had an exchange with the director of the prison who told him: “From now on, you must not discuss political subjects with your parents on the phone”, says Fatiha Cherribi, the journalist’s mother. , joined by Magali Lagrange of the Africa editorial staff. He told her, “Because you are a special case and you have to be closely watched and controlled all the time, and everything you write and talk about is going to be recorded and confiscated.”
So he just did crosswords, sudoku and just reading. Seeing all this treatment for a young journalist who does his job correctly pains me. The authorities are afraid of Omar, and that’s why they want to silence him. That is the purpose of this incarceration and this treatment.
The Court of Cassation in Rabat is examining the files of journalists Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni, who was also sentenced to five years in prison in July 2021.
