The Moroccan Interior Ministry on Wednesday evening accused Maati Monjib, a French-Moroccan historian and activist, of “damaging the kingdom’s reputation on human rights” after his release from jail, claiming he made “irresponsible remarks.”
Regardless of Monjib’s position as an activist or dual nationalist, the ministry warned that legal action would be taken against him.
According to a statement released by the Ministry, Monjib undermined state institutions by invoking bad faith that is far from fact by criticizing the north African country’s political structure and security apparatus.
The 60-year-old historian was arrested at the end of December as part of a preliminary investigation into allegations of “money laundering,” which he described as power abuse.
In January, he was sentenced to a year in prison for “fraud” and “undermining state security,” bringing an end to a long trial that had been repeatedly delayed since 2015.
He was eventually released after a three-month sentence for going on a 19-day hunger strike.
Six other journalists and activists on trial received sentences of up to a year in jail. Three Moroccans have fled the country and have been given political asylum in Europe.
Educator, writer and legal researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy.