H.E. Abdelkader Lecheheb
Ambassador
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco
38 Range Rd.
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J4
FAX: 1 (613) 236-6164

June 13, 2003

Your Excellency,

I write on behalf of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

CJFE wishes to express its outrage over the detention of Mustapha Alaoui, managing editor of the Arabic-language weekly "Al Ousboue."

He has been held under a new anti-terrorism law since June 5, 2003, for publishing a letter from a group claiming responsibility for three of the five bombings in Casablanca on May 16.

Alaoui's arrest came shortly after the latest issue of "Al Ousboue" appeared on newsstands. The Prosecutor's Office described the letter's publication as "a flagrant violation of criminal law provisions, especially those included in the law on the struggle against terrorism."

Alaoui was detained on June 5; on June 7 he was rushed to Ibn Rochd hospital in Casablanca after suffering a diabetic attack. On June 10, he was transferred to Sale prison, near Rabat.

CJFE fully supports Reporters sans frontières' (RSF) call for Alaoui's immediate release in light of his deteriorating health. In addition, we are concerned that recent anti-terrorism laws passed by Parliament will undermine press freedom and lead to an increase in the unlawful detention of journalists.

I look forward to receiving your prompt reply to this letter.

Sincerely,

Case file number: PL-O322