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Local Prison Asserts Mohammed Ziane Ends Hunger Strike, Refutes Health Concerns

Monday 19 February 2024 - 16:16

Rabat's Al Arjat 1 prison refutes claims of deteriorating health for imprisoned human rights lawyer Mohammed Ziane, asserting that he has concluded his weeks-long hunger strike.

In a statement released this week, the prison administration revealed that Ziane provided a handwritten note on Friday declaring the suspension of his protest fast, confirming that he had been consuming food regularly over the weekend.

The announcement follows concerns raised by an unnamed human rights group regarding Ziane's condition. However, prison officials accuse the association of attempting to mislead the public by insinuating that the hunger strike was ongoing when, in fact, it had ceased several days earlier.

Ziane, a former lawyer, sparked controversy in 2020 by advocating for reforms within Morocco's security agencies. Subsequently, he was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $500 for charges including insulting state officials and defaming individuals on social media.

His imprisonment stemmed from a complaint filed by the Interior Ministry, which asserted that Ziane's posts disseminated false accusations, violating the penal code. Although Ziane appealed the conviction, it was upheld last fall.

Prison management vehemently denied any "attempts at misinformation by certain parties exploiting such cases." They criticized groups for consistently undermining their credibility by "spreading lies" to advance "suspicious agendas."

While Ziane's supporters express concern for his well-being following weeks of protest, the prison administration maintains that all is well since he ended his hunger strike. Nevertheless, doubts linger regarding the transparency of his treatment as a jailed activist advocating dissent from within.

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