Latest news with #DGAPR
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
Morocco World
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco's Prison Authority Steps Up Efforts to Tackle Extremism Through Rehabilitation
Rabat – Morocco continues to step up efforts to address security threats as part of its vigilant counterterrorism approach. On Thursday, the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) announced the launch of a program aimed at preventing violent extremism and terrorism through peer education. Directed at prisoners involved in criminal cases, the program is a collaboration with the 'Moussalaha' Reconciliation Center. The two institutions launched the program during an event held at the National Training Center in Tifelt, within the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region. In a statement shared with Morocco World News (MWN), the reconciliation center said that the program aims to strengthen and protect a stable environment in the prisons and promote values of tolerance while preventing violent extremism and terrorism. In 2017, under King Mohammed VI's leadership, Morocco launched the 'Moussalaha' (reconciliation) program. Official data from 2024 said Morocco's Moussalaha rehabilitation program aided a total of 322 inmates since its inception. The initiative reflects a multidimensional policy aimed at reintegrating prisoners into society and upgrading security institutions. It relies on a threefold approach focusing on the individual, religion, and the broader society. Throughout the program, inmates take part in training sessions to educate them on the authentic precepts of Islam, understanding it as a religion of moderation, grounded in openness, and tolerance. Many former terror suspects have applied to join the program. The Moussalaha Center's new program in collaboration with DGAPR seeks to enable 48 employees from 8 prison institutions to acquire theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge in the field of violent extremism and terrorism through three training sessions. The project will also include training and education operations for former inmates involved in extremism and terrorism, and graduates of the reconciliation program that were released through royal pardon. 'This program is supervised and supported by a group of expert professors and specialists, and its various components will be implemented throughout this year,' a statement on the initiative said. The latest 14th edition launched at a Sale local prison last February, saw 21 more detainees join the cohort. Tags: moroccan prisonsMoussalaha
