Saharawi Students sentenced to two years in prison in Marrakech court of appeal:

Marrakech (Morocco), July 21, 2010:  Three Saharawi Students were sentenced to two years imprisonment in force and a fine at the court of appeal in Marrakech, Morocco, on the ground of their positions against Moroccan occupation for Western Sahara.

"After a judicial follow-up for one year and a half for Saharawi students Brahim Bariaz and Ali Salem Ablag and one year for Said Al Waaban, the court in Marrakech sentenced Tuesday each of the group to two years imprisonment in force and a fine at 1000 Dirham," the source said.

"The three prisoners of conscience came in the courtroom under arrest and chanting slogans in Arabic, English and Spanish, calling for the right of Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence and denouncing the policy of repression, arrest, torture and political trials, curried out by Moroccan state against Sahrawi civilians, students, unemployed and human rights defenders," the same source added.

The source further added that the detainees confirmed that their arrest was on the grounds of their political positions for the right of Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence and activities in organizing sit-ins, vigils and peaceful demonstrations, demanding the withdrawal of Morocco from Western Sahara.

Source: SPS