Front Line is concerned following reports that human rights defender Mr Chekib El-Khiari, who remains in detention since 17 February 2009, is now facing new charges. On 23 April 2009, Chekib El-Khiari was brought before the Investigating Judge, Jamal Serhane, where he defended himself against the previous allegations that he had “undermined” or insulted state institutions or officials. However, Chekib El-Khiari was surprised when he was informed that three new charges were being brought against him related to violations of customs and currency regulations. He is alleged to have opened a bank account in Melilla to deposit a check for €225 that he received from the Spanish daily paper El País for an essay he had contributed to their issue dated 4 July 2006, and that he withdrew the money without either using a Moroccan bank as an intermediary or informing Morocco's Office of Currency Exchange. The new charges are subject to penalties of up to five years in prison, while the previous charges could lead to a fine and up to one year in prison. The judge has not yet charged Chekib El-Khiari but refused to release him pending trial. The judge has allowed Mr El-Khiari's lawyers access to the case file only at the courthouse, and has not permitted them to make photocopies.

You can see the previous appeal at http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/1863