Morocco protest leader ‘hurt’ inside prison

By Khalid Majdoub

RABAT

The leader of protests over economic woes in Morocco’s Rif region, Nasser Zafzafi, was hurt inside , according to prison authorities on Sunday.

In June, Zafzafi was sentenced to 20 years in prison for leading protests against economic and social problems in the country’s Rif region.

In a statement, the General Commission for Management of Prisons (GCMP) said Zafzafi asked on Saturday for medical help due to leg pains.

GCMP said Zafzafi “deliberately hurt himself by hitting his hand against the edge of an office and the wall” as the medic was helping him.

The statement said Zafzafi has been transferred to hospital for medical treatment.

It remains unclear how bad his injuries.

The GCMP said Zafzafi has committed “acts in violation of law with the intent of causing unrest and chaos”.

The GCMP narrative could not be verified by an independent source.

During a trial session in April, Zafzafi claimed that he was subject to "physical and psychological torture and humiliation".

The Moroccan government, for its part, said "the judiciary must take full responsibility” in verifying Zafzafi's claims and must investigate and “reach the truth".

From time to time, allegations of torture and ill-treatment during arrest have caused debate in Morocco.