Coming back home to Al Aaiun after a vigil with other journalists and activists of the Saharawi cause on 4 July at 3:30am, El Haissan was suddenly found himself surrounded by a dozen of police officers in plain clothes and in uniform, who threw him violently to the floor and handcuffed before dragging him away in a vehicle without any warrant presented to him. After a drive under the blows and insults, El Haissan arrived at the police headquarters of Al Aaiun, where he was beaten and humiliated continuously by dozens of agents taking turns.

Although El Haissan has not been informed of any charges against him, the Moroccan government is sensitive to his regular documentation of human rights violations against Saharawi demonstrators. After a few hours of detention, a high-ranking officer asked him to abandon his "disturbing" activities. Having clearly expressed his refusal to reconsider his political opinions and the exercise of his profession to denounce the repression against demonstrators of the Sahrawi pro-independence movement, he was violently beaten anew and, under the severity of blows, agreed to sign a written confession that he was not even allowed to read.

Brought before the judge on July 5, he has not even been questioned but was immediately sent in custody without being informed of the charges against him. Although he addressed the prison's complaints division on the torture he suffered and requested that his complaint be referred to the Minister of Justice, no action has been taken, reported his family allowed, since 7 July, to visit him 15 minutes per week.

In view of the foregoing, and in accordance with the provisions of article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) ratified by Morocco, Alkarama requested the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression, Frank La Rue to intervene urgently with the Moroccan authorities to cease all acts of judicial and administrative persecution against El Haissan.

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