(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed relief after a Ouezzane court announced on 7 April 2005 that it was dropping all charges against Mohammed Bouhcini. Bouhcini was suspected of drug trafficking after he collaborated on a December 2004 investigative report for “Tel Quel” magazine entitled, “Drugs: the heart of the traffic”. In a telephone conversation with […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed relief after a Ouezzane court announced on 7 April 2005 that it was dropping all charges against Mohammed Bouhcini. Bouhcini was suspected of drug trafficking after he collaborated on a December 2004 investigative report for “Tel Quel” magazine entitled, “Drugs: the heart of the traffic”.
In a telephone conversation with RSF, Ahmed Benchemsi, the magazine’s editor, said the incident was likely an attempt by unidentified groups to seek revenge “against a man who had helped the press unveil the drug trade routes in the North.” Benchemsi expressed satisfaction with the decision, saying the court had understood that “what was at issue was not drug-trafficking but free expression.” He added that the justice system knew “when it was time to step back.”
