Rabat- The judge in charge of terrorism cases in the Court of Appeal in Sale on Monday decided to postpone until February 18 the trial of Ali Anouzl, editor-in-chief of the Arabic version of independent news website Lakome.
Anouzla was arrested on September 17 after his website “Lakome” posted a link to a video attributed to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). He was accused by the Moroccan authorities for giving the jihadists a platform.
After spending more than one month at the prison in Sale, Rabat’s twin city, Anouzla was freed on bail in late October while the judge investigates his case.
He is accused of defending, providing material assistance to and inciting terrorist acts, accusations that have drawn international criticism.
Under Morocco’s tough anti-terrorism law, which was adopted in 2003 after a string of suicide attacks in Casablanca, the journalist risks up to 20 years behind bars if tried and convicted, according to Amnesty International.