More than three weeks after a massive attack on the border of the Spanish exclave of Melilla that left at least 23 dead, the Moroccan judiciary has sentenced 33 African migrants involved to prison terms. The suspects will each receive 11 months in prison, their lawyer said on Tuesday. They were accused, among other things, of illegal entry and violence against Moroccan border guards.
The convicts were among about 2,000 mostly Sudanese migrants who attempted to cross the border between Morocco and Melilla on June 24. According to Moroccan information, 23 people were killed. Non-governmental organizations spoke of at least 37 dead and dozens injured.
International outrage
The incident at the only land border between the EU and Morocco sparked international outrage. A Moroccan investigative report named suffocation as the cause of death and ruled out misconduct by Moroccan security forces. Human rights organizations and the United Nations accused Moroccan and Spanish border guards of inappropriate use of force and called for an investigation.
Lawyer announces appeal
The prison sentence against his clients is “a very severe punishment,” lawyer Khalid Ameza said. He announced that he would appeal. A second group of 29 migrants, including a minor, will be tried at the end of July. They are also accused of being members of a gang of people smugglers.
The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in Morocco are regular destinations for people hoping for a better life in Europe. In recent years, thousands of migrants have attempted to cross the 12km border to Melilla or the 8km border to Ceuta by climbing fences, swimming or hiding in cars.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
