Latest news with #Yabiladi
Ya Biladi
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Somali authorities reassure families as 6 Moroccans await repatriation after acquittal
Following recent statements from the families of Moroccan nationals who were sentenced to death and later acquitted for joining ISIS, Somali authorities have moved to reassure them about the possibility of their return to Morocco. «Officials visited us at the Garoowe detention center. They assured us that we've been cleared by the justice system. Essentially, we could be repatriated at any moment, once the Moroccan side provides documents verifying our identities», said one of the individuals involved in a voice message sent Tuesday through his family. The six Moroccan nationals had their passports confiscated while in ISIS-controlled territory. After receiving death sentences from a Puntland military court at first instance, they were later acquitted on appeal. They have since been transferred to the administration under the Somali Ministry of Justice to facilitate their repatriation. A previous repatriation attempt reportedly failed due to insufficient identity documentation. According to one detainee, Somali officials said the group could be repatriated «unconditionally, even within 24 hours, or transferred to an international organization», as long as identity documents are supplied. In Morocco, the families of the detainees have submitted letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the National Human Rights Council (CNDH). In Spain, relatives of Ahmed N., one of the six men, told Yabiladi they had contacted the Moroccan consulate in Seville, which has since forwarded the request to Rabat and is awaiting further updates.
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Revolut names first executive in Morocco as it prepares to enter the market
A few months after showing interest in the Moroccan market, the British digital banking powerhouse Revolut is intensifying its efforts. The fintech behemoth, which now claims a global user base of 60 million, has appointed its inaugural executive to lead its operations in Morocco. This pivotal role has been entrusted to Amine Berrada, the former operations director for Uber in Southern and Eastern Europe. He has been tasked with steering Revolut's strategic direction and growth in Morocco. «Revolut is on a mission to build the world's first truly global financial superapp and I'm thrilled to contribute to launching and scaling its presence in Morocco. I'm especially proud to be doing this for my home country, helping bring cutting-edge financial services to millions of Moroccans», he shared on LinkedIn. This development corroborates information disclosed by Yabiladi last April, which revealed Revolut's plans for a phased entry into Morocco, starting as a payment operator, with ambitions to secure a full banking license within two years. Headquartered in London, the company is eyeing several countries in the MENA region, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. It offers a comprehensive suite of services, from multi-currency exchange to cryptocurrencies, savings, credit, and investments. Revolut continues to evaluate the Moroccan market. «We regard Morocco as an attractive market. However, we are still in the early stages», the company mentioned in a discussion with Asharq Business. With an estimated valuation of $45 billion and substantial financial backing from giants like SoftBank, the neobank aims to establish a foothold in a landscape that remains relatively untapped in terms of fully digital banking services. Moroccan authorities, for their part, are signaling a welcoming stance towards fintech, with hopes of enhancing financial inclusion.
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Spain deploys frigate as Moroccan NGO eyes operation on Leila Islet
The Spanish army is taking seriously the initiative launched by the «Coordination Committee for the Defense of the Kingdom's Causes», which plans to carry out an operation on the islet of Leila. In response, the Ministry of Defense has dispatched a frigate to monitor the area, according to a committee member who spoke to Yabiladi. Rachid Hssaine, spokesperson for the NGO, had previously mentioned the project in statements to our editorial team. The Spanish military later shifted its attention to the Chafarinas Islands, where a vessel docked on Tuesday. This deployment comes amid what Iberian media describe as «growing assertions in recent weeks from the neighboring country regarding the so-called 'Moroccan identity' of these territories». The maneuvers by the Spanish navy are seen as a move to reassure right-wing and far-right circles, which have raised concerns about the potential impact of the committee's creation on the security of Ceuta, Melilla, and other nearby islets. Vox party MPs have called on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to take action against what they describe as «a Moroccan project to invade the islet of Perejil». They are urging the left-wing coalition government to ensure the protection of Spain's sovereign territories, including Perejil, Alhucemas, Vélez de la Gomera, Chafarinas, Ceuta, and Melilla.
Ya Biladi
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Ya Biladi
Stellantis unveils FIAT TRIS, the three-wheeled electric vehicle manufactured in Morocco
The fully electric FIAT TRIS will be manufactured in Morocco by Stellantis, adhering to international safety standards. Announced jointly by the Moroccan government and the automaker, the project targets the professional mobility needs of urban and peri-urban areas. The vehicle will be produced at Stellantis' Kenitra plant, with a projected annual capacity of 65,000 units and potential for export across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, according to a statement received by Yabiladi. The new model represents a next generation of compact, sustainable, and affordable vehicles. Following the successful launches of the Citroën Ami, Opel Rocks-e, and Fiat Topolino micromobility models, Stellantis is now expanding its lineup with the FIAT TRIS. «FIAT TRIS democratizes access to professional mobility for millions of workers, artisans, and entrepreneurs, establishing itself as a catalyst for economic and social opportunities across the continent», said Samir Cherfan, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis Middle East and Africa. Production officially began in July 2025 at the Kenitra plant, boosting the site's total micromobility output to 135,000 units per year. The project also draws on the expertise of the Stellantis Automotive Technical Center (ATC) in Casablanca, which employs more than 4,000 engineers and senior technicians. The initiative reinforces Morocco's position as a regional hub for sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions, backed by a mature and growing industrial ecosystem.
Ya Biladi
6 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Lured into ISIS territory, acquitted Moroccans remain stuck in Somalia
Ahmed N. lives in Spain with his entire Moroccan family, his father, brothers, and sisters. But everything changed when he embarked on a trip to Turkey and ended up following a group of individuals who promised him a well-paying job. As the journey progressed, he realized he was getting pulled into something much harder to escape. Eventually, he found himself in Somalia, in the hands of ISIS. «We had all built our lives in Spain», his sister Najat told Yabiladi. «At one point, he wanted to return to Morocco to invest, but the challenges he faced pushed him to come back here. Then he went to Turkey, met people who promised to help him. He had no idea he'd end up in an area controlled by terrorist groups in Somalia». Since last year, Najat has been fighting to get her brother out of prison. Initially, the military court in Puntland sentenced him and five other Moroccan nationals to death for allegedly joining ISIS in Somalia. According to the initial judgment, the six had joined a base in the Cal-Miskaat Mountains in northeastern Somalia. Documents presented in court and reviewed by Yabiladi show that some of the Moroccan nationals arrived in Somalia after passing through Turkey and Ethiopia. At Cal Miskaat, they were said to have received training in ISIS camps, learning to handle light weapons like the AK-47. However, they eventually tried to abandon the process and escape from the group. Ahmed, who traveled from Spain via Turkey, was reportedly not involved in any military training, according to his family. His relatives and the court maintain that he was «misled into believing he could invest in agriculture» in Somalia. Once he realized he was in an ISIS-controlled zone, he found himself unable to turn back. «He reached out to the Red Crescent and local authorities on his own, and was handed over to the army. He wasn't captured during a confrontation, he surrendered voluntarily. He never considered himself part of ISIS; in fact, he saw himself as a deserter once he understood the terrorist nature of the project», Najat told us. In March 2024, several Moroccan NGOs denounced the initial verdict. Among them were the Moroccan Coalition Against the Death Penalty (CMCPM), the Association for a Fair Trial, and the Network of Lawyers Against the Death Penalty. They called on Moroccan authorities to intervene and ensure the repatriation of the six nationals. On appeal, the defense presented evidence supporting their claims, including the absence of confessions and the fact that they had tried to flee ISIS. The court took these elements into account under the provisions of the Somali Penal Code. To Ahmed's supporters, «the evidence showed that these men were victims of human trafficking». «They were lured to Somalia with promises of good jobs. Once they realized ISIS wanted to recruit them, they ran and voluntarily turned themselves in to the Puntland State police, a clear sign they rejected the group», sources close to the case told Yabiladi. In May, the Puntland military appeals court overturned the death sentences and declared all six men not guilty. The court also acknowledged that «these individuals were misled and trafficked» and, more importantly, that «they surrendered voluntarily to authorities». When they turned themselves in, they were «unarmed and there was no indication they had ever taken part in any terrorist activity… rather, they sought protection», the same sources added. The court ordered their release and initiated procedures for their return home. They were handed over to the Constitutional Affairs Administration under Somalia's Ministry of Justice to facilitate their repatriation to Morocco. «Ahmed even told us that they were in the process of being repatriated, but apparently things got held up because of inaccurate information about one of the five other Moroccans», Najat said. A Complicated Repatriation While in detention, the six men were visited by a delegation from the Puntland Parliament. During a meeting at the Garoowe prison, lawmakers were briefed on the status of detainees charged with serious crimes. Despite being cleared by the appeals court, the six men remain in «administrative detention for security reasons». According to Yabiladi's sources, «their situation is still unresolved due to a lack of diplomatic or humanitarian coordination». «Even with the court's decision, repatriation remains stalled because of logistical and political challenges. All six had their passports and ID documents confiscated by ISIS, leaving them without any valid paperwork for travel», the sources said. The political landscape in Somalia further complicates matters. The case falls under the jurisdiction of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region with its own legal and security systems, operating independently since 1998. Tensions between Puntland and the federal government in Mogadishu have made coordination with foreign embassies difficult. Moreover, «Morocco does not have a diplomatic presence in Puntland», which adds another layer of complexity, the same sources said. Back in Morocco, the families of the other detainees have reached out to various authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the National Human Rights Council (CNDH). In Spain, Ahmed's family is represented by Guillermo Santana, a lawyer with the Seville Bar Association, who is also advocating on the case. Speaking to Yabiladi, Santana explained that «numerous letters have been exchanged with Moroccan authorities, including consular services in the Spanish region, in an effort to secure repatriation». «We've received a positive response from the Moroccan side, which forwarded our requests to Rabat. We're hopeful that they will follow through», he said. However, repatriation may not mean full exoneration. Once back in Morocco, the six nationals could face investigations due to their presence in a conflict zone controlled by a terrorist group. In the meantime, their families continue to worry about the poor detention conditions, «scarce food and constant psychological pressure», and are hoping above all for the safe return of their loved ones.
