After more than three years behind bars, the family of former Moroccan minister Mohamed Ziane finds themselves at a loss, unsure of which doors to knock on for help. Ziane, who served as the Minister of Human Rights during King Hassan II's reign, was imprisoned in late 2022 on more than a dozen charges. Despite his advanced age—he is now 84 years old—and fragile health, the authorities in Rabat have shown no compassion, tightening their grip around him instead. This week, his family has raised alarms over his worsening conditions at the El Arjat prison, where the quality of food provided to him has been reported as abysmal. According to his son, Ali Reda Ziane, they have been sending him weekly financial support to purchase better food from a small shop within the prison. However, this week, the prison administration denied him the funds he was entitled to.
In response to the family's grievances, prison officials issued a statement claiming that the new prohibition on purchasing items from the shop was due to an alleged infraction by Ziane, who purportedly misused the institution's landline. They clarified that this restriction does not extend to hygiene products. In light of this situation, Ziane has filed an appeal against the prison officials' decision, which is expected to be reviewed within the legally mandated timeframe. However, his family remains skeptical about the official reasons behind this prohibition, suspecting it to be a disciplinary measure for his public support of other activists on social media. This is not the first time that Ziane has faced retaliation for his political stances.
The Arrest Following Calls for King Mohammed VI to Abdicate
Mohamed Ziane's arrest occurred in late November 2022, following a campaign of harassment orchestrated by both the authorities and the Moroccan press. Just a month prior, Ziane had given an interview to a local newspaper where he condemned the power vacuum in Morocco and called for King Mohammed VI to abdicate. Even under the pressure leading up to his arrest, he stood firm in his beliefs, asserting that changing his views would be "political harakiri." His detention came after a previous three-year sentence for 11 charges, which included offenses against public officials, defamation, adultery, and sexual harassment. Despite his attempts to appeal, the harsh realities of his situation prevailed, leading to his imprisonment.
Countless human rights organizations have condemned the lack of judicial guarantees in his case and demanded his release, yet this elderly man remains incarcerated. He has never benefited from the numerous pardons granted by the Alaouite monarch during various festivities. Although the three-year sentence officially concluded on November 21, 2025, Ziane was not released. Considering himself a victim of arbitrary detention, he initiated a hunger strike to protest his situation.
A Minister with Spanish Roots
Born in Málaga in 1943 to a Moroccan father and a Spanish mother, Mohamed Ziane's lineage is well-documented. However, the Spanish consulate in Rabat has turned a blind eye, citing his lack of Spanish identification documents as a reason for inaction. His son, Ali Reda, a lawyer like his father, reached out to the Spanish diplomatic mission in September 2025, outlining his father's predicament and emphasizing his heritage. According to Spanish civil code, particularly Article 17, individuals born to a Spanish parent are considered Spanish by origin. Despite this, Ali Reda's attempts to seek assistance from consular officials have proven futile. The last communication he received indicated that the consulate acknowledged his correspondence and promised a response if appropriate.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have explained that in Ziane's case, consular assistance is limited due to his lack of a Spanish passport or ID. While they acknowledge that he could apply for nationality as a descendant of a Spanish citizen, they assert that consular services cannot assist children of Spaniards living abroad.
The family fears for Ziane's health, especially following the recent statement issued by prison authorities. They claimed that he has never complained about the quantity or quality of food served. In stark contrast, Ali Reda has detailed that the meals provided are virtually inedible, with only one euro allocated for each serving. Since entering El Arjat, Ziane's health has significantly declined, and he now weighs less than 55 kilograms. The family is concerned that the latest prohibition will exacerbate his already fragile condition.
In a follow-up statement, Ziane's family has criticized the decision made by the Alaouite regime's authorities, remarking that an octogenarian should not be deprived of basic necessities. Among Moroccan opponents, Ziane has earned the dubious title of “the world’s oldest prisoner.”
As reported by elindependiente.com.
