On February 19, the Moroccan occupational authorities arrested a Swedish journalist Lars Björk, who was visiting Western Sahara for his work. He is accused by the Moroccan authorities of inciting the Sahrawis to demonstrate and of having bad intentions. The Moroccan authorities have threatened him with expulsion from Western Sahara and, even worse, to charge him as if he was like an Al-Qaida sympathizer. (20-FEB-07)


Based on information from the Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave Human Rights Violations Committed by the Moroccan State ( ASVDH*), this article has been prepared for republication by Gunta Venge, the Rafto Human Rights House in Bergen.

Western Sahara map.gif Moroccan authorities have threatened Mr Lars Björk on several occasions  during his visits since the outbreak of demonstrations in May 2005. This arrest reinforces Morocco´s longstanding media blackout in the territory.

 [Latest update by the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara at 02.00 GMT: according to well- informed Swedish sources Mr. Björk was released from police custody at approximately 01.00 GMT, some five hours after his arrest. Mr. Björk´s passport, press accreditation and camera have been confiscated by the police and he was informed by Moroccan police that he will be further interrogated in the morning, before being deported.]


Source: http://asvdh.net/english/?p=156 and www.vest-sahara.no

For UPDATED information on the case, see Reporters Without Borders:
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=21059

*ASVDH is a Sahrawi human rights organization based in the Moroccan occupied Western Sahara