Arrest of kissing teenagers sparks protests in Morocco
Teens arrested for posting a kissing photo in northern Morocco inspire a sit-in protest and a slew of copycat photos.
Moroccan police have arrested two teenagers after a photo showing them kissing was posted on Facebook.
The 14 and 15 year old were photographed by a friend, kissing outside their high school in Nador, northeastern Morocco.
The arrests sparked a sit-in protest outside the juvenile detention centre where the pair is being held – awaiting trial next Friday.
It has also sparked a slew of copycat Facebook photos.
“It involves a teenage boy and his girlfriend. They were arrested on Thursday for violating public decency by posting a photo of them kissing” Chakib al-Khayari, president of the Rif Association of Human Rights told AFP on Friday.
According to Human Rights Watch, freedom of expression in Morocco is still heavily curtailed with Moroccans frequently arrested for criticising the King or monarchy, denigrating Islam or violating taboos.