Umma party criticises Morocco government

The coordinator of the Moroccan Umma Party Mohamed al-Marwani has slammed the interior ministry's referral of his party to the judiciary on “flimsy” charges. "These actions are part of the government's policy to impede any political establishment that does not agree with the government...this has happened before in August 2007," he said. Marwani was earlier detained in Morocco's “Belliraj terrorist cell” case and who was released along with five of his companions after pressure from rights groups resulted in a royal pardon being granted in April last year. The politician in a press statement on Monday sharply attacked prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane and justice minister Mustafa Ramid, blaming them for the alleged political suppression. "Resorting to the Administrative Judiciary signals an ongoing despotic approach...political regulations in Morocco aim to prevent the establishment of political parties that may enjoy credibility, as the procedure is very complex," he added.