Website editor Ali Anouzla released provisionally

Reporters Without Borders is relieved by news website editor Ali Anouzla’s provisional release today after more than five weeks in detention and calls for the withdrawal of all the charges against him. Anouzla was freed shortly after midday after the provisional release request filed by his lawyer, Hassan Semlali, on 22 October, was approved by a Rabat investigating judge two days before the deadline for issuing a ruling. Expressing delight at Anouzla’s release, Semlali told Reporters Without Borders: “Ali should not have spent a single minute in prison. He is an independent journalist who fights constantly for human rights.” Anouzla was arrested on 17 September for posting an article that contained a link to a video posted by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). He is still facing a possible sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison on charges of providing “material assistance” to a terrorist group, “defending terrorism” and “inciting the execution of terrorist acts.” His next appearance before the judge has been set for 30 October. Anouzla edits the Arabic-language version of the news website Lakome.info. Access to both Arabic and French-language versions have been blocked in Morocco since 17 October.