
In Morocco, score-settling follows a former spy chief's escape abroad
His French lawyers, William Bourdon and Vincent Brengarth, have sought to have the arrest warrant against him canceled by Interpol, arguing that Hijaouy is being prosecuted as part of a "strictly political procedure based on a judicial setup." Their application is about to be submitted to the international criminal police organization. "Mr. Hijaouy is in danger and needs protection," said Bourdon and Brengarth.
52 years old, Hijaouy reportedly served from 1993 to 2014 within the DGED, notably heading the Service Action training center – although Moroccan media close to the government claim that he was "dismissed from the DGED in 2010" and describe him as a "fake expert and a real fraud." After moving into strategic consulting, he wrote articles for Moroccan media – including some of those now attacking him, such as Hespress – on the concept of "security intelligence."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Local France
4 hours ago
- Local France
European powers plan fresh nuclear talks with Iran: German diplomatic source
The European powers, known as the E3, "are in contact with Iran to schedule further talks for the coming week", the source said, following warnings from the trio that international sanctions against Iran could be reactivated if Tehran does not resume negotiations. Iran's Tasnim news agency also reported that Tehran had agreed to hold talks with the three European countries, citing an unnamed source. Consultations are ongoing regarding a date and location for the talks, the report said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a call Friday with his British, French and German counterparts and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. During the call, the Europeans warned that if Iran did not return to talks soon, they would activate a so-called "snapback" mechanism to reimpose sanctions lifted in a 2015 deal to curb Tehran's nuclear output. Iran and the United States had held several rounds of nuclear negotiations through Omani mediators before Israel launched its 12-day war against Iran on June 13. However, US President Donald Trump's decision to join Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities effectively ended the talks. Advertisement "Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. That is why Germany, France and the United Kingdom are continuing to work intensively in the E3 format to find a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear programme," the German source said. Iran denies it is pursuing nuclear weapons. The 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), placed significant restrictions on Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. But the hard-won deal began to unravel in 2018, during Trump's first presidency, when the United States walked away from it and reimposed sanctions on Iran. "If no solution is reached over the summer, snapback remains an option for the E3," the German source said.

LeMonde
6 hours ago
- LeMonde
One million sign French petition against law unbanning bee-killing pesticide
More than a million people had by Sunday, July 20, signed a petition urging the French government to ditch a law allowing the reintroduction of a banned pesticide known to kill bees. The so-called "Duplomb law" has stirred public anger for permitting a return of acetamiprid – a chemical known to be toxic to pollinators such as bees and to ecosystems. It was adopted on July 8 but has not yet come into effect. A 23-year-old master's student launched the petition against the law on July 10, with support quickly snowballing with the backing of many, including actors and several left-wing lawmakers. More than 500,000 people signed it in 24 hours from Saturday and Sunday alone. The law's proponents argue farmers face too much regulation in France as is, and allowing them to use acetamiprid again would help reduce the constraints they face. President Assemblée Nationale Yaël Braun-Pivet on Sunday ruled out abandoning the legislation, named after the conservative lawmaker who proposed it, as it would "save a certain number of our farmers." The petition's author, Eléonore Pattery, who describes herself as "a future environmental health professional," called the new law a "scientific, ethical, environmental and public health aberration." "It represents a frontal attack on public health, biodiversity, the coherence of climate policies, food security, and common sense," she said. 'Bee killer' Acetamiprid has been banned in France since 2018, but remains legal within the European Union. The insecticide is particularly sought after by beet and hazelnut growers, who say they have no alternative against pests and face unfair competition. On the other hand, beekeepers have branded the chemical "a bee killer." Its effects on humans are also a source of concern but, in the absence of large-scale studies, its risks remain unclear. The petition calls for the "immediate repeal" of the law and a "citizen-led consultation involving health, agricultural, environmental and legal stakeholders." Petitions do not in themselves trigger a review or repeal of the legislation but unprecedented public support may prompt renewed parliamentary discussion on the matter. Under French rules, if a petition reaches 500,000 verified signatures, the Assemblée Nationale may choose to hold a public debate limited to the content of the petition itself. Braun-Pivet told the broadcaster Franceinfo on Sunday she would be in favour of such a debate, but lawmakers "could not in any case go back on the law which has been voted through." In late June, ahead of the law's passage, several thousand demonstrators – including farmers, environmental organisations and scientists – rallied across France calling for the bill to be withdrawn.

LeMonde
9 hours ago
- LeMonde
'In New Caledonia, the French state is signing a check for reconstruction and securing a lasting attachment with France'
"Betting on trust" is the title of the agreement reached on July 12 in Bougival, on the outskirts of Paris, between the French state and political partners from New Caledonia. Eighteen New Caledonian representatives from across the political spectrum signed a document with Manuel Valls, the minister for overseas territories, that is riddled with ambiguities and unspoken elements. The text is designed to succeed the [1998] Nouméa Accord. It redefines relations between the French state and the archipelago, which becomes the "State of New Caledonia," a human and geographic entity that remains under French oversight. Still at the draft stage, the effective implementation of the agreement will require not only the approval of New Caledonian citizens, but also of French lawmakers, who, starting in the autumn, will be called on to legislate to postpone the provincial elections and integrate this contractual agreement into the institutional legal framework. The text is a bold bet on the malleability of French law and the flexibility of elected officials. It is a gamble that could prove risky, especially for [Indigenous] Kanak youth, for whom it offers little more than a substitute for statehood as their future horizon. After outlining the key principles driving it, the agreement rests on two pillars: the future institutional framework and economic support. The latter was certainly decisive in reaching consensus. The rescue plan for the nickel mining industry, cleaning up public finances, the gradual and conditional easing of debt, and restoring the social welfare system's accounts all played a significant role in the negotiations. Although all these areas fall under the exclusive authority of New Caledonia, the French state is signing a check for the country's reconstruction and, in return, securing New Caledonia's long-term attachment to France. Russian doll model This will require unprecedented adjustments. Until now, the exceptions to the principles of a unified and indivisible French Republic imposed by the Nouméa Accord were tolerated, if not accepted, due to the "transitional" nature of Title XIII of the French Constitution, which is dedicated to New Caledonia. By contrast, permanently enshrining the "State of New Caledonia" in the Constitution could create real legal challenges. The constitutional authorities will need to address this.