Latest news with #DGAPR
Morocco World
27-07-2025
- Morocco World
Morocco Prison Authority Denies False Death Claims in Viral Video
Rabat — Morocco's prison authority has denied false claims about a detained police officer's death that spread through a video posted online by someone living abroad. The General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) issued a statement Saturday rejecting allegations that a police officer died at Ain Sebaa local prison. The prisoner mentioned in the video remains alive and currently serves his sentence at Arjat 2 local prison, not Ain Sebaa prison as the video claimed, DGAPR's statement indicated. Prison officials said the inmate faces charges for complicity in insulting public officials during their duties, insulting a legally governed institution, and helping spread fake statements and misleading information through computer systems for defamation purposes. The DGAPR clarified that he serves an 18-month prison sentence following a preliminary court decision, not the five-year term the video's creator falsely reported. The prison authority also accused the person who made the video of spreading fake news as part of a systematic campaign targeting Moroccan national institutions and agencies, in this case prison authorities. Officials described this as part of a broader plan designed to damage Morocco's image and defame its symbols while serving hostile agendas, especially with the organization of two prestigious football tournaments, the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, approaching. The statement raises ongoing concerns about misinformation campaigns targeting Moroccan institutions through social media platforms, particularly by individuals operating from outside the country's borders. In July 2024, a report indicated that the North African country was heavily subjected to fake news campaigns in June of the same year. The Moroccan government has been intensifying efforts to combat misinformation campaigns. In 2024, Morocco's Ministry of Communication met with TikTok's MENA director in a joint-pledge to take serious action on the matter and strengthen cooperation. Tags: DGAPRfake newsmoroccan prison authorityPrison authorities
Morocco World
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Moroccan Legal System Readies to Introduce Alternative Sentencing
Rabat — Morocco is set to implement a major judicial reform with the introduction of alternative sentencing measures. The move is aimed at reducing prison overcrowding and promoting the reintegration of offenders into society, said Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament and Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas. The decision is scheduled to come into effect at the end of August with the application of Law 43.22, representing a significant shift toward a more rehabilitative justice system. Speaking at a press briefing following the weekly Government Council on Thursday, Baitas stressed that the success of this reform hinges on the full involvement of all stakeholders in the justice system. This includes judges, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR), all working under a new vision of justice focused on human rights and rehabilitation. Baitas described the upcoming enforcement of Law 43.22 as a 'clear and meaningful recognition of human rights,' providing legal avenues for non-custodial sentencing while protecting victims' rights and considering the severity of certain crimes. Read also: Government Approves Decree Making Alternative Sentencing in Morocco a Reality The new law outlines specific cases in which alternative sentences—such as community service, fines, or restrictions on certain activities—may be applied. However, it excludes serious crimes, including corruption, embezzlement, drug trafficking, human organ trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, and repeat offenses. These remain subject to traditional custodial penalties. More than just legal adjustments, the reform is part of Morocco's broader effort to align its national legal framework with international human rights standards and recommendations from global bodies active in the fields of justice and crime prevention. Baitas emphasized that alternative sentencing also supports Morocco's response to the chronic issue of prison overcrowding. By offering solutions that focus on rehabilitation rather than incarceration, the law aims to ensure a more effective and humane justice system. The government has put in place a comprehensive legal framework to support the rollout, including Law 43.22 and Decree No. 2.25.386, which outlines how alternative sentences should be applied and the related procedures. The reform is in line with the High Directives of King Mohammed VI and represents a foundational step toward a modernized, rehabilitative, and rights-respecting penal system. Tags: Alternative sentencingbaitasMorocco alternative sentencing
Ya Biladi
04-06-2025
- General
- Ya Biladi
Eid al-Adha : Inmates can receive family visits but without meal baskets
On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) announced that, starting the Monday following Eid, inmates in Moroccan penitentiaries will be allowed visits from family, friends, as well as representatives from diplomatic and consular missions for foreign detainees. However, these visits will not include the delivery of food parcels. Additionally, a special meal program will be provided to the inmates during this period, the Delegation stated in a press release on Wednesday. Given the deep religious and social significance of Eid al-Adha in Moroccan society, the celebration will take place within the prisons without performing the sacrificial ritual. This decision respects the royal directive to abstain from carrying out the Eid sacrifice, the statement added.
Morocco World
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Prison Authority Denies Omar Radi's Claims about Detention Conditions
Rabat – The General Delegation for Prison Administration (DGAPR) responded to the recent remarks made by journalist Omar Radi, who sharply criticized Moroccan prisons and his detention conditions in Ain Sebaa 1 and Tilfet 2 prisons. Radi made his remarks in a new interview published last week, claiming he was subject to alleged psychological and physical issues. DGAPT rejected Radi's 'baseless' claims, describing them as 'an allegation,' noting that Radi had personally requested to be put in a jingle cell, which they responded favorably to. DGAPR further stressed that the cell met hygiene and dignity standards, denying that he was subject to 'Excessive surveillance.' DGAPR said that the measures are standardized and apply to all detainees, particularly for phone communications and mail exchanges. In his interview, Radi claimed his cell at Tifelt 2 was infested with insects. ButDGAPR has strongly refuted the allegations, noting that the journalist's cell was regularly maintained and that the transfer was made at his own request. DGAPR also spoke of an incident that took place during Radi's imprisonment, recalling a time when he was fractured in his arm during an arm-wrestling match with a fellow inmate. The prison authority said the former prisoner received medical care and a surgery, and that his family was informed immediately and were allowed to visit him at the prison hospital. An investigation was launched into the altercation, DGAPR said, noting Radi also had access to the facility's scheduled activities and medication was provided to him, spending on medical prescriptions. In July 2021, a Moroccan court sentenced Omar Radi to a six-year prison sentence for 'rape' and 'receiving funds from a foreign agent.' Casablanca's Court of Appeal upheld the same sentence against the journalist in March 2020, but he was granted a royal pardon in July last year. DGAPR also condemned recent claims made by journalist Soulaiman Raissouni, who was recently released from prison on a royal pardon. In an interview with Spanish news agency El Independiente, Raissouni made strong remarks about Morocco's prison administration and judiciary, accusing them of 'unethical practices.' 'I knew what to expect: imprisonment and worse than prison,' the journalist claimed, alleging that his writing was confiscated during his time in detention. In response, DGAPR said Raissouni's comments on Moroccan prisons' 'unethical practices' are fabricated allegations that are part of what the prison authority described as continued attempts to 'tarnish the reputation of the prison and reintegration sector' in Morocco. Raissouni's allegations also seek to affect the reputation of Morocco's prison officials and staff, DGAPR said, denying his claims that he had a 'record-breaking' hunger strike. It stressed that it had previously issued a statement revealing that the journalist was consuming various food and dietary supplements during the period he claimed to be on a hunger strike. Tags: #Free Omar Radiomar radi
Morocco World
13-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Prison Visits in Morocco Go Digital with Nationwide ‘Ziara' Platform
Rabat – The Moroccan General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) has taken a step to modernize its services, implementing a nationwide prison visit program called 'Ziara.' This digital platform for prison visit management came into effect as of March 10 with the goal to improve transparency and efficiency. Ziara is designed to streamline the prison visits process, reduce congestion, and eliminate long wait times. Visitors can now access the online portal and schedule appointments to see incarcerated family members or friends. The platform also offers essential information, including visitation eligibility requirements and documentation needed to obtain authorization, saving visitors the time of traveling to penitentiary facilities simply to gather information or schedule visits. Jointly developed by DGAPR, the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, and the Digital Development Agency (ADD), the expansion of Ziara followed a successful pilot program at the Ain Sebaâ prison complex in Casablanca. To ensure smooth implementation, DGAPR trained prison staff on the new system and prepared all facilities with the necessary technological infrastructure to support the platform. The newfound platform is expected to incorporate additional services in the future, even giving family and friends of the incarcerated the option to make certain online purchases for their loved ones. Meanwhile, DGAPR has also launched awareness campaigns within prisons to familiarize both inmates and visitors with the platform's features, including direct communication, informational posters, and various other outreach methods. The DGAPR said in a statement that 'this initiative is central to our strategy for modernizing prison administration and strengthening governance mechanisms.' 'The platform will improve visitor reception quality while ensuring equitable and transparent visitation processes,' they added. Tags: DGAPRmoroccan prisons
