Home minister renews Islamist leader is free
Moroccan interior minister, Ahmed El Midaoui, renewed on Tuesday that Abdessalam Yassine, the leader of unauthorized Islamist association "Al Adl Oua Al-Ihsane), is, like all Moroccans a free person.
The minister said all citizens are required to abide by the law telling Moroccan TV "2M" that anyone breaching the law will face sanctions.
On the same day, Sheikh Yassine had announced that he will go out of his house to perform prayers on Friday, after El Midaoui told the parliament that Yassine leaves and returns to his residence as he likes.
In a statement sent to foreign news agencies, Yassine also announced that starting next Friday, he will also receive in his house anyone wishing to meet him.
Last week, during the parliament's weekly question-time, the interior minister said sheikh Yassine has the right to go to court if he feels his rights are being abused. He added that the man "leaves and returns to his residence as he likes, receives people and holds meetings."
Yassine, who leads the banned association, has been in custody for several years in Sale, near Rabat.
