Free Bashir

We have just received news that Bashir has been released. We will post details as soon as we have them.

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An appeal hearing has been scheduled in the case of blogger Bashir Hazzam and his colleagues on Monday, February 8, in the town of Tiznit (100km south of Agadir). Bashir’s lawyer, Redouane Elarbi has reported that the trial will be attended by a number of bloggers, mediators, human rights workers, and family members for support. They all hold a great hope for Bashir’s release.

It is noteworthy that the court dismissed the first appeal hearing held last January 18.

Prior to the scheduling of a second appeal hearing, Bashir and fellow prisoners had instituted a hunger strike, which lasted 48 hours, denouncing the deplorable conditions of the Tiznit prison and publicly condemning the charges made against them and subsequent harsh punishments. The appeal also comes a week after the sentencing of blogger Aboubakr Lidib to six months in prison and a fine of 500 DH.

Mohammed Kadiri, a lawyer and mediator in the region has reported, after visiting Bashir, that he is in good health following the hunger strike. He also reported that Bashir has sent his greetings and appreciation to all of those who have supported him and his colleagues.

Kadiri has written a letter, which has been published in its original French here.

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The campaign has just received news that Bashir Hazzem’s appeal trial has been set for January 18, 2010. We will update with more information as soon as we receive it.

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Blogger Bashir Hazzem sends out his gratitude as his suffering continues

Blogger Bashir Hazzem has asked human rights organizations that recently visited to relay his gratitude to all bloggers, activists, media figures, and international organizations that stood in solidarity with him in Morocco and abroad. He requested that the Moroccan Bloggers Society, along with activists around the world, escalate the solidarity campaign until he and his fellow bloggers are freed. He hoped that the judge would give him justice along with other detainees and recant the rash and unjust rulings that were issued against them in the preliminary hearing.

Sources have said the Hazzem has been separated from other detainees in the case and now resides in a small prison cell with 70 other prisoners and is suffering the hardships of jail.

Hazzam and his fellow detainees met the prison manager at the beginning of their detention and demanded improved conditions so that they could study since most of them are still students and that they be separated from other prisoners. Those demands have not been met yet.

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Thank you for your solidarity. The Facebook group in support of Bashir Hazzem now has 1,380 members, and our Flickr group continues to grow. Please continue to send contributions to us, via the Facebook group or to freebashirhazzem@gmail.com.

Yesterday, Bashir was transferred to the local prison of Tiznit (approximately 100 km south of Agadir). His appeal trial is pending.

Many of you have asked how you can support Bashir: First, by showing your solidarity (either by blogging about his case, contacting your local media outlets, or joining the solidarity groups). We are in touch with Bashir’s lawyers and family and are hoping to learn more in the coming days. If you are interested in helping Bashir’s family financially, please contact us via the Facebook page.

In Solidarity.

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On Monday, December 14, Moroccan blogger Bashir Hazzam (also spelled Hazem, Hazzem) and Internet cafe owner Abdullah Boukhou were sentenced, to four months and one year, respectively, in a Goulmim court, following protests in neighboring Tarjijt. Hazzam was sentenced for “spreading false information harmful to the kingdom’s image on human rights,” while Boukhou’s sentence was for similar reasons and likely included a charge for providing a space for dissident activities.

Reporters Without Borders condemned the sentences, stating that, “Bashir Hazzam and Abdullah Boukhou have not committed any illegal act. Bashir Hazzam has only posted a statement released on the crackdown by the police during student demonstrations in Tarjijt, 200km south of Agadi. Abdullah Boukhou is accused of having sent information and photos on these events. Instead of throwing these innocent people in prison, the authorities would do better to investigate abuses committed by local security services.”

In addition to Bashir Hazzem, Internet cafe owner Abdullah Boukhou was also arrested for possessing a USB key with Bashir’s blog post on it. Boukhou was sentenced to one year in prison.

A number of other students and activists, including Abdel Aziz al-Salami, were also arrested, for their participation in the protests.

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Lundi le 14 décembre 2009, le blogueur marocain Bashir Hazzam ainsi que le propriétaire d’un café internet, Abdullah Boukhou, ont été condamnés par une cour de Goulmim respectivement à des peines de quatre et douze mois de prison. Ces condamnations font suite aux manifestations enregistrées dans la région voisine de Tarjijt. Hazzam a été condamné pour ” diffusion de fausse information portant atteinte à l’image du royaume concernant les droits de l’homme”, alors que Boukhou l’a été également pour le même motif, une clé usb contenant le billet que Bashir avait publié ayant été retrouvé sur lui, mais aussi probablement pour avoir fourni un local pour des activités dissidentes.

Reporters sans frontières ont dénoncé ces condamnations, déclarant que ”Bachir Hazzam et Abdullah Boukhou n’ont commis aucun acte illégal. Bachir Hazzam a seulement posté un communiqué déjà rendu public sur la répression exercée par les forces de l’ordre lors de manifestations étudiantes à Taghjijte, à 200 km au sud d’Agadir. Abdullah Boukhou est accusé d’avoir envoyé des informations et des photos sur ces événements. Au lieu de jeter ces innocents en prison, les autorités feraient mieux d’enquêter sur les abus commis par les services de sécurité locaux.”

Plusieurs autres étudiants et un certain nombre d’activistes, incluant Abdel Aziz Al-Salami, ont été arrêté pour avoir participé aux manifestations.

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