In March 2008, an extradition warrant for Ali Aarrass for participation in an un-named “terrorist group” was issued by the Moroccan authorities.
Since 1 April 2008 – the date of his initial arrest and imprisonment in Spain, pending extradition – Ali Aarrass has consistently maintained his innocence. During this time, he staged three hunger strikes to protest against his imprisonment and against the request for his extradition.
The Spanish court agreed with him: after thorough investigation by the Spanish Judge Garzon, Ali Aarrass was declared completely innocent of any involvement in a terrorist enterprise. It is for this reason, that Spain, while keeping Ali in prison, hesitated for two and a half years before extraditing him to Morocco.
The Committee on Human Rights of the United Nations agreed with Ali too.
On 26 November 2010, the Committee formally asked Spain not to extradite Ali Aarrass to Morocco, because of the risk of torture and serious abuse.
However, on 14 December 2010, as the diplomatic and media conflict between Spain and Morocco over the Western Sahara was at its height, Spain decided not to respect the position of the Committee of Human Rights. Spain decided to extradite Ali, by plane from Madrid to Casablanca, without warning Ali Aarrass’ lawyers or family.
Follwing his arrival in Morocco, Ali disappeared.
From 14 December 2010 until 24 December 2010, Ali Aarrass was placed on garde à vue, delivered into the hands of his torturers.
No one had been informed about his detention place and Ali did not have access to a lawyer. It was during this period that Aarrass Ali was forced to sign a « confession » written in Arabic, a language he cannot read. Ten days in the hands of the torturers in Morocco was sufficient to obtain « confessions » from Ali, on facts he has been denying during his three years in prison in Spain!
On 18 January 2011, when he was presented to the Judge, assisted by his lawyer, Ali was finally able to tell the truth and totally deny the allegations made against him.
Despite his fear of being tortured again, Ali Aarrass decided to lodge a formal complaint against his torturers not only to the prosecution but also to the Moroccan Minister of Justice and the National Council of Human Rights.
On 18 March 2011, after a snapshot survey, the Judge issued an order to transfer Ali Aarrass before the Court of Appeal in Rabat.
On 24 November 2011, after nine audiences, this Court sentenced Ali Aarrass to 15 years in prison.
On the first anniversary of his illegal extradition,
we denounce
Spain, for the illegal extradition of Ali Aarrass to Morocco
Morocco, for the torture of Ali Aarrass during its detention and for the fact that he has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, solely on the basis of his so-called confessions
Belgium, for his complicity, his silence and his failure to assist a Belgian citizen, a person in danger.
Contact : luk vervaet, 0032 478653378
