Supporters Protest Jailing Of Morocco Journalist

RABAT, Morocco (AP) – Hundreds of people have protested to seek the release of a Moroccan journalist jailed after publishing a story about an al-Qaida video. The prosecutor general announced this week that the journalist, Ali Anouzla, has been charged under Morocco’s anti-terrorism law with assisting and advocating terrorism.

The protesters in the capital Rabat on Thursday alleged he has been jailed for political reasons. Anouzla, editor of the Lakome website, published a story about the video by al-Qaida’s north African affiliate criticizing the footage as propaganda. Amnesty International said Thursday that Anouzla’s jailing “sends the message that any discussion of terrorism … will be treated by the government of Morocco as a criminal offense.” If found guilty, Anouzla faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison.