Maghreb Edition

Morocco arrests Salafist preacher for publicly opposing anti-coronavirus measuresF

Posted On 17 March 2020

Number of times this article was read : 575

The Moroccan authorities arrested Salafist Preacher Abou Naim for publicly opposing anti-coronavirus measures enacted by the government of Morocco, including the closure of mosques.  The prosecution stated that he “inciting hatred and violence” as a charge against him.

The police on Tuesday, under the supervision of the prosecution at the Rabat Court unit responsible for Terrorism and Extremism, indicated that Abou Naim appeared on a video relayed on social networks and instant messaging platforms in which he made remarks including allegedly “incitement to hatred and violence” as well as statements that could lead to “criminal acts, seriously threaten public order, denigrating and ridiculing the efforts of public authorities to deal with the epidemic.” Abou Naim was placed in police custody.

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