Defense lashes out at US treatment of Moroccan former Guantanamo detainees
Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/9/2005

The defense of the Moroccan former detainees in Guantanamo lashed out Monday at US the authorities' treatment of the five men who were transferred to the US base after their arrest in Afghanistan, and handed over to Moroccan authorities last August.

The defence criticized the way the five men were transferred by American authorities that "stripped them of their possessions and official documents." It also protested against the court's refusal to ask questions on their detention conditions in Guantanamo and on the torture they were inflicted.

The Appellate court of Rabat ordered Monday further probe, on February 21, in the case of the five Moroccans after a request of the general prosecutor for a confrontation between the defendants and Noureddine Nifia‰ who is serving a 20 year sentence for belonging to the "Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group."

The former Guantanamo detainees are sued for different charges, notably for "belonging to a criminal band, non-denunciation of a crime harming state security, assistance to a criminal band by transferring money to Moroccans with the aim of creating a gang that threatens Morocco's interests and participation in the forging of a passport."

On Monday, the court denied once again bail pending trial for the two defendants, Benchekroun I, 26 y.o, and Mazouz M., 32 y.o.. The three others were granted bail last December.

The defendants denied at the hearing belonging to the "Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group" and any link with Ben Laden. They affirmed that they have received no military training in camps in Afghanistan, denying knowledge of prisoner Noureddine Nifia‰ or any members of Al Qaeda.

The five men insisted that they had no knowledge of any terrorist project targeting Morocco.

On its part, the court stated it is of competent jurisdiction, rejecting the defence's claim of procedural error and argument that the acts for which the 5 defendants were apprehended by American authorities took place outside the national territory.

Previous Stories:
  American NGO: Algeria, Polisario bear full responsibility for death of Moroccan POW   (2/3/2005)
  American congress staffers get informed on Sahara issue in Laayoune   (1/28/2005)
  Magazine notes shift in US attitude in Sahara issue   (1/3/2005)

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