Six Moroccans acquitted of terrorism but still detained in Somalia plead to return home
Six Moroccan nationals, currently held in Garowe Prison in Somalia's Puntland region, have issued a desperate appeal to the Moroccan authorities, urging immediate intervention to end their prolonged detention, despite a final court ruling declaring them innocent of terrorism-related charges.
The six young men had traveled to Somalia in hopes of building a better professional future, but instead found themselves caught up in a serious case that led to military court proceedings and initial death sentences. However, the charges were later dropped after it was proven they had been misled by individuals suspected of ties to extremist groups.
In a voice message shared by Moroccan newspaper al3omk, one of the detainees described a humanitarian ordeal that extends far beyond their legal nightmare. «We survive on one meal a day, barely edible… we have to wash it with water just to be able to eat it», he said, adding that detention conditions are «catastrophic», with no access to clean drinking water and constant psychological pressure.
The detainees stressed that they never entered Somalia with the intent to join any organization. Rather, they were lured by fellow Moroccans with promises of legitimate economic opportunities in a developing region. Upon realizing the deception, and finding themselves in an area known for ISIS activity, they attempted to flee and voluntarily surrendered to the authorities, only to face imprisonment instead of protection.
Although their innocence was confirmed by a final court ruling over 18 months ago and a deportation order was issued, they remain behind bars. Puntland authorities attribute the delay in their release to a lack of coordination with the Moroccan government, insisting that their freedom hinges on Morocco's willingness to receive its citizens.
The detainees' families had previously submitted a formal complaint to Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 19, expressing deep frustration over their sons' continued imprisonment and calling for urgent diplomatic action to end their ordeal.
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Six Moroccans acquitted of terrorism but still detained in Somalia plead to return home
Six Moroccan nationals, currently held in Garowe Prison in Somalia's Puntland region, have issued a desperate appeal to the Moroccan authorities, urging immediate intervention to end their prolonged detention, despite a final court ruling declaring them innocent of terrorism-related charges. The six young men had traveled to Somalia in hopes of building a better professional future, but instead found themselves caught up in a serious case that led to military court proceedings and initial death sentences. However, the charges were later dropped after it was proven they had been misled by individuals suspected of ties to extremist groups. In a voice message shared by Moroccan newspaper al3omk, one of the detainees described a humanitarian ordeal that extends far beyond their legal nightmare. «We survive on one meal a day, barely edible… we have to wash it with water just to be able to eat it», he said, adding that detention conditions are «catastrophic», with no access to clean drinking water and constant psychological pressure. The detainees stressed that they never entered Somalia with the intent to join any organization. Rather, they were lured by fellow Moroccans with promises of legitimate economic opportunities in a developing region. Upon realizing the deception, and finding themselves in an area known for ISIS activity, they attempted to flee and voluntarily surrendered to the authorities, only to face imprisonment instead of protection. Although their innocence was confirmed by a final court ruling over 18 months ago and a deportation order was issued, they remain behind bars. Puntland authorities attribute the delay in their release to a lack of coordination with the Moroccan government, insisting that their freedom hinges on Morocco's willingness to receive its citizens. The detainees' families had previously submitted a formal complaint to Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 19, expressing deep frustration over their sons' continued imprisonment and calling for urgent diplomatic action to end their ordeal.
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Six Moroccans acquitted of terrorism but still detained in Somalia plead to return home
Six Moroccan nationals, currently held in Garowe Prison in Somalia's Puntland region, have issued a desperate appeal to the Moroccan authorities, urging immediate intervention to end their prolonged detention, despite a final court ruling declaring them innocent of terrorism-related charges. The six young men had traveled to Somalia in hopes of building a better professional future, but instead found themselves caught up in a serious case that led to military court proceedings and initial death sentences. However, the charges were later dropped after it was proven they had been misled by individuals suspected of ties to extremist groups. In a voice message shared by Moroccan newspaper al3omk, one of the detainees described a humanitarian ordeal that extends far beyond their legal nightmare. «We survive on one meal a day, barely edible… we have to wash it with water just to be able to eat it», he said, adding that detention conditions are «catastrophic», with no access to clean drinking water and constant psychological pressure. The detainees stressed that they never entered Somalia with the intent to join any organization. Rather, they were lured by fellow Moroccans with promises of legitimate economic opportunities in a developing region. Upon realizing the deception, and finding themselves in an area known for ISIS activity, they attempted to flee and voluntarily surrendered to the authorities, only to face imprisonment instead of protection. Although their innocence was confirmed by a final court ruling over 18 months ago and a deportation order was issued, they remain behind bars. Puntland authorities attribute the delay in their release to a lack of coordination with the Moroccan government, insisting that their freedom hinges on Morocco's willingness to receive its citizens. The detainees' families had previously submitted a formal complaint to Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 19, expressing deep frustration over their sons' continued imprisonment and calling for urgent diplomatic action to end their ordeal.
