The General Directorate of National Security in Morocco has categorically rejected the claims made by the British newspaper "Daily Mail" regarding the alleged "arrest" of a British citizen in Morocco. In an official statement, the Directorate emphasized that the information presented in the article is "completely unfounded and lacks any basis in reality," aiming to clarify the facts of the incident and inform both national and international public opinion.
In its clarification, the Directorate pointed out that it reviewed the article published on Monday evening, which contained information described as "tainted with inaccuracies and distortions," particularly concerning the circumstances surrounding the interaction with the British citizen while he was in Marrakech. The article also falsely claimed that he was engaged in charitable work by distributing food aid to children.
The Directorate further asserted that the discussions surrounding the "arrest" of the individual or his "imprisonment and denial of communication with his family" are entirely detached from reality. It underscored that the person in question did not undergo any detention procedures but was dealt with under normal legal processes, enjoying all the protections guaranteed by Moroccan law.
Moreover, the Directorate revealed that the reason for subjecting the British citizen to judicial inquiry was unrelated to any charitable activities, as suggested in the media. Instead, it stemmed from actions that violate Moroccan law, specifically the unauthorized filming and broadcasting of images of individuals, including minors, who are afforded special legal protection regarding their personal data.
The statement detailed that the tourist police in Marrakech intervened following reports from citizens who spotted the individual in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square recording and streaming digital content featuring vulnerable persons, mostly children, without obtaining their consent or that of their guardians, all under the pretext of distributing material aid.
In coordination with the relevant public prosecutor's office, the individual was subjected to a judicial inquiry without being placed under provisional detention and was subsequently presented before the judiciary in a state of release, with trial sessions scheduled according to the legal provisions in force.
Additionally, the authorities confiscated his mobile phone and referred it to a digital evidence analysis laboratory to examine its contents and ascertain whether any elements could constitute criminal acts, all within a legal framework that ensures the rights of all parties involved.
This official clarification comes as part of the General Directorate's commitment to respond seriously to media reports, particularly concerning information that could tarnish the image of security institutions or present inaccurate narratives about the enforcement of law in Morocco.
This response reaffirms that Moroccan authorities adhere to a clear legal approach that prioritizes the protection of privacy and personal data, especially for minors, while fully respecting legal guarantees throughout the various stages of judicial inquiry.
In conclusion, the issue does not pertain to the arrest or suppression of charitable work, as portrayed in the media, but rather to a specific legal incident concerning the protection of individuals, particularly vulnerable groups, from unauthorized media or digital exploitation, all while respecting national law.
As reported by agadir24.info.
