The journalists were freed on the eve of Morocco’s national holiday marking the 25th anniversary of the King’s ascent to the throne.
The cases of Radi, Bouachrine and Raissouni followed a similar pattern as the three journalists were found guilty of sex-related crimes, which they denied and claimed that they were politically-motivated falsehoods related to their journalistic work. On 18 July, 2023, the Rabat Court of Cassation (the final court of appeal) rejected the appeals lodged by journalists Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni and upheld their prison sentences of 6 and 5 years, respectively.
The revelations of the worldwide ‘Pegasus’ investigation, published by the international consortium Forbidden Stories in 2021, accused Morocco of involvement in a vast spying operation, including surveillance of journalists Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni. The IFJ demanded a full investigation of these allegations, which the Moroccan government continues to deny.
Omar Radi, a journalist known for his commitment to human rights, was prosecuted in a double case of ‘indecent assault with violence and rape’ and ‘espionage’. Radi was imprisoned for four years, from 29 July 2020.
Souleimane Raissouni, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Akhbar Al-Yaoum, is a well-known critic of the Moroccan monarchy. Raissouni was detained on 22 May, 2020, and charged with ‘indecent assault with violence’ and ‘kidnapping’.
Taoufik Bouachrine, who was the publisher and editor-in-chief of daily Akhbar El Youm, was arrested on 23 February 2018 following the publication of editorials critical of the Moroccan government and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The SNPM issued a statement that reads: “We consider the royal pardon that included a group of journalists and activists as a significant humanitarian gesture from the King and a message aimed at enhancing the awaited reform process with measures that allow us to restore the noble practice of the profession [...] This should be an opportunity to review the legal system to champion the profession and professionals through both self and objective protection.”
IFJ Deputy General Secretary Tim Dawson said: “The release of journalists Radi, Raissouni and Bouachrine is welcome. Their cases were emblematic of Morocco’s enduring crackdown on journalists and activists. We remind the Moroccan government of its obligations to uphold press freedom and journalists’ rights. At the same time, the IFJ is concerned by the Moroccan government's insufficient reaction to its involvement in the Pegasus software affair and reiterates our demand for clear and precise answers about the spying on journalists in the country. We also note that more than 300 other journalists are in prison around the world, all of whom should be released and allowed to continue their work without interference.”