5/23/03 Morocco, Editor Ali Lmrabet in jail because of a cartoonist's work.
Cartoon by NIKAHANG KOWSAR

Reporters sans Frontieres is reporting that Moroccan newspaper editor Ali Lmrabet has been convicted by a court in Morocco for publishing a cartoon that insulted King Mohammed VI.  RSF has called on the King to act "boldly" to demonstrate that he is against any compromise of Moroccan press freedoms.

Along with other charges in connection with the cartoon and a photo montage that depicted senior Ministers being married to each other, Lmrabet was sent to prison for 4 years and given a 2000 euro fine.  Since May 6th (before his trial even started) he started a hunger strike which he is still on. RSF staffers are fearful for his life.  He had been harassed by officials for quite some time prior to his arrest.  

Cartoonist "Khalid," who drew the cartoon depicting the Royal family receiving an armored car load of money from the state, was not charged.

It is not uncommon for editors to pay the price for the cartoons in their papers, as the editors are the responsible person in deciding which articles and cartoons to run.

The criminal code used in prosecuting Lmrabet has never been used prior to this in a case against the press. 

See RSF's article in this link:
Reporters sans frontières - Morocco

See the cartoons in the CRN link below:

Cartoonists and organizations willing to support Editor Ali Lmrabet please contact

Robert Russell
Director
Cartoonists Rights Network, International
Phone: 703 250 0035
mayte6@aol.com

For a list of actions and advocacy letter addresses.  RSF has advised us that this editor's life is in great danger and would appreciate CRN getting actively involved in advocating for him.