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Uyghur human rights activist Idris Hasan, held in Morocco since July 2021 and facing extradition to China, has finally been freed. Hasan, whom China accuses of terrorism, has resettled in the United States, arriving on February 14, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Idris Hasan, 36, was detained in Morocco for 43 months. The Chinese government alleges he is a member of the «terrorist group East Turkestan Islamic Movement» and participated in «terrorist activities» while living in Turkey.
«I am deeply grateful to the individuals and organizations who helped me throughout this journey, especially the U.S. government», Hasan told Radio Free Asia after arriving in Washington. Hasan was released from prison in Morocco on February 12, 2025.
The day before his arrival in the U.S., Hasan was taken to the U.N. office in Morocco and was accepted for resettlement by the U.S. Omer Kanat, executive director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, met Hasan at the airport to assist him in settling in.
Hasan's ordeal began in 2021 when he was arrested at Casablanca's airport on July 19. He had traveled to Morocco to seek asylum after living and working as a translator in Turkey. In Morocco, he was imprisoned in Tifelt prison after Interpol issued a red notice for his arrest.
Interpol later withdrew its warrant in August 2021. However, a Casablanca court approved his extradition to China that same year.
Hasan's case gained international attention, with more than 40 NGOs demanding his release from Moroccan authorities. Morocco was prepared to release Hasan on two previous occasions, but the releases were aborted. The third attempt, however, was successful and carried out in secret, said Abduweli Ayup, founder of the Norway-based Uyghuryar Foundation, who advocated for Hasan's release.
«Quiet diplomacy proved to be effective, and no news was shared until he had left Morocco», he told RFA.
