Moroccan NGO backs Polisario appeal for jailed Naama Asfari

The «Moroccan Body for the Support of Political Prisoners» has voiced its endorsement of the Polisario's initiative advocating for Naama Asfari, a Sahrawi activist serving a 30-year sentence. Asfari was convicted for his involvement in the deaths of eleven police officers during the dismantling of the Gdeim Izik camp in Laâyoune back in 2010.

This Moroccan NGO, which includes members from the Islamist group Al Adl wal Ihsane alongside far-left activists, released «an urgent appeal to save the life of political prisoner Naama Asfari» on Friday.

Aligning with the Polisario’s narrative, the organization expressed «deep concern over the health condition» of Asfari, who is currently in the sixth week of a hunger strike with no fixed end.

The NGO asserted that «the right to life is fundamental» and reiterated its demand for Asfari's immediate release, highlighting the conclusions of relevant UN human rights bodies and the backing of numerous local and international human rights organizations.

In its statement, the group emphasized that Naama Asfari «was not present at the scene of the events during the Gdeim Izik camp dismantling, editor’s note, which led to his indictment, and that his arrest lacks legal grounds».