29 August 2012
Said Elhairech Update
Moroccan union leader Said Elhairech asserted his innocence yesterday in a five hourhearing before an investigating
judge in Rabat. He also made an initial application for bail. A second bail request is scheduled for Thursday 30 August.
Said Elhairech, who is general secretary of the ITF-affiliated Moroccan Ports Union, part of the UMT (Union des
Syndicats UMT des Transports), and chair of the ITF Arab World regional committee, was arrested on 16 June on charges of
‘sabotage and endangering national security’. He has consistently rejected the accusations and is backed by the ITF,
which believes that he has been wholly wrongly charged following his very effective work on behalf of ships’ crews
stranded by the cessation of operations of the Comarit-Comanav ferry company, which he undertook at the ITF’s request.
The ITF unequivocally supports Said in his fight for justice, and has mobilised international solidarity for him; taken
its concerns to the Moroccan authorities, government and embassies worldwide; provided testimony and witnesses; and
employed a lawyer to defend Said.
ENDS