Mogadishu (KAAB TV) — The families of six Moroccan citizens currently imprisoned in Garowe, Puntland, have issued an urgent plea for the unconditional repatriation of their loved ones, citing gross judicial irregularities and concerns for their safety.
According to reports, the six Moroccans were sentenced to death by a military court in Bosaso on March 2, 2024, after being accused of membership in the terrorist organization Daesh (ISIS). However, their families insist that the men were convicted without due process, and claim that the accused were never formally charged with any crime before the sentencing.
In a formal complaint submitted to the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 19, the families emphasized that the court had previously ordered the release and deportation of the six detainees more than 18 months ago. Despite this ruling, the men remain behind bars, and their fate hangs in the balance as the death sentences loom.
An audio testimony provided by one of the prisoners to Al-Oumk newspaper shed light on their ordeal. According to the prisoner, the group originally traveled to Somalia under the belief they were entering the country to work legally under employment contracts. However, upon arrival, they allege they were deceived and forcibly linked to Daesh operatives without their consent or knowledge.
“Our sons came to Somalia looking for honest work,” the families stated in their letter to Moroccan authorities. “They were victims of a conspiracy. They have suffered in prison for over a year and a half despite a court order for their deportation. We call upon the government and the people of Morocco to act urgently and bring them home.”
The Moroccan families fear their sons are being used as scapegoats in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the region and argue that their legal rights have been gravely violated.
This developing case highlights the murky challenges facing foreign nationals caught in regional security operations and underscores the urgent need for transparent legal proceedings and diplomatic intervention.
Moroccan officials have not yet issued a public response to the complaint.