Tetouan taxi drivers released pending appeal

Taxi drivers in Tetouan, Morocco, have been released pending further legal review after an appeals court reconsidered their case. The initial ruling by the Court of First Instance had imposed jail sentences and fines on the drivers.

According to lawyer and human rights activist Noufel Al-Bhamri, the drivers were released following the referral of their cases to the Court of Appeal. This decision allows them to remain free while the higher court continues to examine the files and complete the necessary judicial procedures.

The initial sentences involved six months of effective imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 dirhams. These judgments garnered considerable attention, particularly as they were linked to incidents involving irregular migration towards the occupied city of Ceuta.

The legal process is ongoing, with the Court of Appeal set to continue deliberations on the cases. The situation highlights the complexities surrounding migration issues and their impact on local communities and professions in the region.