Amnesty International urges Moroccan authorities to release Maati Monjib and drop charges against him

The Moroccan authorities «must immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender Maati Monjib, and drop all charges against him including from a previous trial ongoing since 2015 in relation to his work on freedom of expression», Amnesty International said on Wednesday.

Moroccan historian was arrested on 29 December and his next investigation session before an investigative judge is scheduled for 27 January.

«Maati Monjib is the latest victim of the government's campaign to silence critics and as a prisoner of conscience must be freed immediately and unconditionally», said Amna Guellali, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

«Since giving a high-profile media interview criticizing Morocco’s internal intelligence agency for repressing political opponents, Monjib has faced first police harassment and now a show trial», she added.

Amnesty’s call comes after the Moroccan authorities sent two letters in November 2020 and January 2021 letters denying that «Monjib was targeted for his human rights work».

For the record, Monjib is accused of embezzlement and money laundering. Prior to his arrest, the judicial police in Rabat and Casablanca had summoned Monjib on multiple occasions for investigations in relation to these charges.