A/HRC/19/58
440. Finally, the Government stressed that the public forces acted with the supervision of
the judiciary and in total respect of the law in force for the dispersion of demonstrations
that constitute a violation of the general laws in force.
General allegations
Summary of the general allegation
441. The Working Group received information from credible sources concerning obstacles
encountered in the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from
Enforced Disappearance in Morocco. This information was transmitted to the Government
of Morocco on 13 January 2011, after the Working Group ninety-second session.
442. It was reported that, in the context of the application of law 03-03 in the fight against
terrorism, in force since 5 June 2003, there have been several cases of people arrested and
held in secret detention for several days and, on some occasions, for a few months.
443. In this connection, the source reported that the last wave of arrests without disclosing
the whereabouts of the detainees took place in Casablanca between 12 March and 3 May
2010. During this period, the source alleges that at least 11 people were abducted on the
streets or from their homes by officials of the General Directorate of Territorial
Surveillance and then taken to unknown places of detention.
444. Four of these cases were brought to the attention of the Government under the Working
Group’s urgent action procedure in 2010: Mr. Otman Babi, Mr. Abderahim Lahjouli, Mr.
Adnan Zakhbat, and Mr. Younes Zarli. The other cases concern: Mr. Saïd Ezziouani, was
allegedly arrested on 12 April 2010, in the proximity of the Assunna Mosque, located at 2
March Avenue, Casablanca, by Security Services agents; Mr. Abdelaziz Janahe, was
allegedly arrested on 19 April 2010, at his home, by Security Services agents; Mr. Mahdi
Maliani, was allegedly abducted on 19 March 2010, in the area Hay Al-Ousra, Ain-Chock
district, Casablanca, by Security Services agents; Mr. Mohamed Boutarfas, was allegedly
arrested on 1 May 2010, at his home, by State agents in civilian clothing and then taken to
an unknown place; Mr. Zouhair Benkassou, was allegedly arrested on 1 May 2010, at his
home, by State agents in civilian clothing and then taken to an unknown location; Mr.
Ahmed Arrahmouni and Mr. Mohamed Hilal, both usually residing in Parma, Italy were
allegedly arrested by the Italian police on 19 April 2010, and turned over to the Moroccan
authorities the same day.
445. According to the source, these individuals were presented before a judge on 6 May
2010. Mr. Mohamed Bouterfas, Mr. Zouhair Benkassou and Mr. Ahmed Rahmouni were
released following their presentation before the judge.
446. According to the Working Group’s usual practice, the Government of Italy received a
copy of the general allegation.
Reply from the Government
447. On 14 October 2011, the Government provided information on seven individuals
mentioned in the general allegation stating that they were prosecuted as a result of their
belonging to terrorist groups.
448. Regarding Messrs. Said Essiouani and Abdelaziz Janahe, the Government noted that
they were members of a structure linked to Al-Qaida and to its affiliates and planned to
commit terrorist attacks in the Kingdom, capped from France by Mr. Ahmed Sahnouni
Yaacoubi, French of Moroccan origin. Messrs. Essiouani and Janahe were taken before the
Investigative Judge at the Appeal Court of Salé on 6 May 2010, concerning an illegal
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