WAN-IFRA condemns Moroccan newspaper director sentencing

The MD of the Akhbar Al-Youm Al-Maghribya daily, well-known for his defence of press freedom, was sentenced on 10 June for an affair related to a property purchase. The case appears to be politically motivated.

Criticised Arab leaders

The verdict came just days after Bouachrine had spoken at the WAN-IFRA Arab Free Press Forum in Beirut, during which he strongly criticised Arab leaders for "wanting a seat at the editing table."

Bouachrine is an outspoken critic of press freedom violations and had previously fallen foul of Moroccan justice in 2009 after publishing cartoons judged offensive to the royal family. He was handed a three-year suspended sentence and fined 270,000 Euros.

Key testimony refused

In the case leading to the recent jail sentence, Bouachrine was accused of failing to honour payments for a villa he bought in 2007. The case had already been heard before the civil courts in 2007 and 2008, with the journalist winning on both occasions, but in this instance the judge refused to hear the testimony of the key witness in Bouachrine¹s defence.

Despite the testimony of the solicitor that dealt with the house sale, who confirmed the transaction to have been conducted lawfully, judgement went against Bouachrine, who expressed his conviction that he was paying the price for the editorial line of his newspaper.

Bouachrine is appealing the decision.

In a statement, WAN-IFRA condemned the apparent political motivation behind the sentencing and called on the Moroccan authorities to overturn the decision.