PJD hails humanitarian gesture allowing Nasser Zefzafi to attend father’s funeral

The Justice and Development Party (PJD) praised the «high-level human rights and humanitarian approach» taken by the authorities in allowing Nasser Zefzafi, serving a 20-year prison sentence for the 2017 Al Hoceima protests, to attend the funeral of his father, Ahmed Zefzafi.

In a statement issued by its General Secretariat, the party also welcomed the «flexible and smooth communication with the mourners» during the ceremony, and commended Zefzafi’s remarks, describing them as «comprehensive, responsible, and balanced».

Speaking publicly for the first time since his arrest in 2017, Zefzafi addressed the mourners from the rooftop of his family home in Al Hoceima, declaring: «Nothing is above the interest of the nation. We are the children of this nation, and I do not mean the Rif alone, but every inch of the country. No matter our differences or opinions, they all ultimately serve the nation’s interest first and foremost».

The PJD expressed hope that «this path will be reinforced with progressive steps, including granting amnesty, resolving this complex case and others like it, and opening a new chapter free of tension, strengthening the human rights, political, and developmental gains of our country».