Two of three journalists arrested for publishing articles undermining state security released

Two out of the three journalists arrested last June in Oujda (eastern Morocco) for the publication of articles "inciting for crimes that could undermine national security" were released, communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah announced on Thursday.

The two journalists are the director of "Al Hayat Al Maghribya" Mostapha Qachnini, and editor in chief of "Asharq" newspaper, Abdelmajid Ben Tahar, that are both published in Oujda, said the minister in a briefing to the press at the end of the government's weekly.

Meanwhile, he added, the director of "Asharq" newspaper, Mohamed Lhard, is still under detention.

Probe in the case started when "Al Hayate Al Maghribya" run a story by Zakarya Boughrara that advocated ideas of "Salafya Jihadia," an organization suspected of being behind the Casablanca attacks. The story, which was re-published by "Asharq" daily, called for mobilizing persons and means to conduct suicide-operations that would sow disorder and terror.

Investigations found out that Boughrara received funds from foreign sources and that he is connected to "Al-Qaeda" network to finance followers of "Salafya Jihadia," MAP reported.

Mustapha Qachnini had confessed publishing Zakarya Boughrara's article although it contained praise of the dangerous criminal acts perpetrated by the "Salafya Jihadia" elements, and an interview with a man named Mohamed Fizazi, one of the theoreticians of "Salafya Jihadia, who praised the Casablanca terrorist attacks.

The three journalists were referred to the first instance court after being questioned by the police under Articles 38 and 39 of the press code. Subsequently, they stood trial on June 20 before the appeal court of Rabat.