Maurice Boutan, lawyer in Ben Barka case, dies at 98

Maurice Boutan, a lawyer whose life's work became intertwined with the mysterious disappearance of Moroccan political figure Mehdi Ben Barka, has died at the age of 98. Boutan, born in Meknes, Morocco, in 1928, was a prominent figure among the "Free French" who advocated for the independence of colonized nations.

Boutan's legal career began in Morocco in 1952. He was known for his staunch anti-colonial stance and his defense of human rights, notably supporting the Palestinian cause. He co-founded the "Research and Action Group for the Palestinian Cause." Throughout the final years before Morocco's independence, he defended Moroccan nationalists. After independence, he continued to represent individuals in legal and political conflicts during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

His association with the 1965 kidnapping of Mehdi Ben Barka in Paris led him to join the Paris Bar. This case profoundly impacted his life, barring him from his homeland for seventeen years. He detailed his experiences and knowledge of the affair in his book, "Hassan II, de Gaulle, Ben Barka: What I Know About Them."

Boutan attributed his commitment to justice and social causes to his father, whom he described as a man of deep moral conviction. He recalled the return of Sultan Mohammed V from exile as a major public issue and how the "Free French" were welcomed after the King's return. Boutan noted that he faced no particular issues expressing his views or practicing law in Morocco until he decided to move to Paris for the first Ben Barka trial in September 1966, after which he was compelled to leave Morocco. The Ben Barka family issued a statement mourning their lawyer, signed by Ben Barka's son, Bachir.