To HRW, accusations against Omar Radi «may be a blatant manipulation to silence» him

International NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) reacted, Wednesday, to the recent developments in Omar Radi’s case.

In a statement sent to Yabiladi, acting Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch Eric Goldstein said that «the context gives us cause to worry that both accusations against Omar Radi may be a blatant manipulation of the legal system to silence a critical journalist, against a backdrop of increasing attacks on free speech in Morocco».

The journalist was remanded in police custody, Wednesday, on accusations of espionage and rape. The arrest comes after a woman lodged a complaint, accusing him of «rape and violence».

Radi will remain in jail until September 22 for his first hearing before an investigating judge. The accusations against Radi come after Amnesty International released a report, alleging that Radi’s phone was targeted by an Israeli spyware.