Morocco: Human Rights Association Sues PJD lawmaker for Terrorism Apology

A Moroccan Human rights NGO, the Association for Human Rights Defense (ADDH,) has sued lawmaker Amina Maelainine from the ruling Justice and Development Party (PJD) for terrorism apology.

The lawmaker had openly endorsed extremist comments made by member of her party’s youth league, Omar Senhaji, reports say.

Omar Senhaji had raised an uproar after he indicated that critics of the ruling PJD should be beheaded.

Maelainine replied to Senhaji’s critics that his comments were not extremist and that he was entitled to freedom of speech. Lawyer Lahbib Haji who lodged the complaint was quoted by local daily Assabah as saying that the lawmaker’s comments equate to terrorism apology.

Maelainine may be summoned by the judicial arm of Morocco’s domestic intelligence service, BCIJ also known as Morocco’s FBI, reports say.

Senhaji has been questioned by the BCIJ for his comments.