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Morocco Arrests Human Rights Activist over Money Laundering

Moroccan special forces stand guard at the entrance of a building during a counter-terrorism operation in Temara, on the outskirts of Rabat, Morocco September 10, 2020. (Reuters/Youssef Boudlal)
Moroccan special forces stand guard at the entrance of a building during a counter-terrorism operation in Temara, on the outskirts of Rabat, Morocco September 10, 2020. (Reuters/Youssef Boudlal)
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Morocco Arrests Human Rights Activist over Money Laundering

Moroccan special forces stand guard at the entrance of a building during a counter-terrorism operation in Temara, on the outskirts of Rabat, Morocco September 10, 2020. (Reuters/Youssef Boudlal)
Moroccan special forces stand guard at the entrance of a building during a counter-terrorism operation in Temara, on the outskirts of Rabat, Morocco September 10, 2020. (Reuters/Youssef Boudlal)

Morocco on Tuesday arrested human rights activist Maati Monjib after an investigation over money laundering, a security source said.

Monjib, 60, was brought before the attorney general at Rabat's court of first instance, the source at the General Directorate for National Security (DGSN) told AFP.

He was later referred by the prosecution to an investigative judge before being ordered into pre-trial detention at Rabat's El Arjat prison.

The prosecution said it launched a probe in October after the seizure of evidence pointing to money transfers and real estate assets beyond the means of Monjib and his family.

The historian said on Facebook that the information was "not new" and had already been part of a trial for "financial embezzlement" and "undermining state security" which opened in 2015.

"I am innocent of all these defamatory accusations," he wrote.

Monjib is being prosecuted along with six other human rights activists and journalists in a trial that had been scheduled to begin in 2015.

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Lebanon Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeeping Mission

A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
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Lebanon Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeeping Mission

A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)

Lebanon on Monday condemned attacks on the United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) stationed in its south, including last week's rocket strike in which four Italian soldiers were lightly injured.

The 10,000-strong multi-national UNIFIL mission is monitoring hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel, an area hit by fierce clashes between the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah party and Israeli forces.

Since Israel launched a ground campaign across the border against Hezbollah at the end of September, UNIFIL soldiers have suffered several attacks coming from both sides.

"Lebanon strongly condemns any attack on UNIFIL and calls on all sides to respect the safety, security of the troops and their premises," Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said during a conference in Rome.

Bou Habib spoke before attending a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Anagni, southeast of Rome, along with other colleagues from the Middle East, which was set to discuss conflicts in the region.

Bou Habib added: "Lebanon condemns recent attacks on the Italian contingent and deplores such unjustified hostilities."

Italy said Hezbollah was likely responsible for the attack carried out on Friday against its troops in UNIFIL.

Beirut's foreign minister called for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a previous war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 with a ceasefire that has faced challenges and violations over the years.

"Lebanon is ready to fulfil its obligations stipulated in the above-mentioned resolution," Bou Habib said.

"This literally means and I quote: 'There will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon'."

Hezbollah, militarily more powerful than Lebanon's regular army, says it is defending the country from Israeli aggression. It vows to keep fighting and says it will not lay down arms or allow Israel to achieve political gains on the back of the war.