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Morocco: Fake Prince On Facebook Pardoned
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International Freedom of Expression Exchange Clearing House (Toronto)
PRESS RELEASE
25 March 2008
Posted to the web 25 March 2008
Fouad Mourtada, who made international headlines last month for getting jail time for setting up a Facebook account in the name of a Moroccan prince, has been freed, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the anti-censorship network of bloggers Global Voices Online.
According to RSF, Mourtada received a royal pardon for Eid al-Mawlid an-Nabawi, the festival of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, on 18 March, after 43 days in prison. He had been serving a three-year jail sentence for "usurping the identity" of King Mohammed's brother, Prince Moulay Rachid, by creating a false profile in his name on the social networking website Facebook.
"This is a great relief," says RSF. "Mourtada will be able to spend this holiday with his family after 43 days in prison. Nonetheless, we regret that his release is the result of a royal pardon rather than a fair verdict and sentence. Moroccan bloggers will not be able to forget his imprisonment when they compose their blog entries."
Mourtada's conviction on 22 February had received a great deal of national and international coverage, especially among Moroccan bloggers, who campaigned vigorously for his release. Protest rallies were organised worldwide. A website created by Fouad's family attracted 71,000 visitors in less than three weeks, and a petition demanding his release was signed by more than 7,000 people.
Mourtada was arrested at his home on 5 February and allegedly beaten while in police custody.
Visit these links:
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=25900
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- Help Fouad: http://www.helpfouad.com/
- Menassat.com: http://tinyurl.com/33hcnl
(25 March 2008)
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