1
New evidence disproving espionage charges against Omar Radi
1.Arnaud Simons is a real person
2.The use of incorrect spellings of his name made authorities in #Morocco believe he is a 'fake person' or foreign agent
#freeomarradi #Journalismisnotacrime
bit.ly/2TIIR3E
New evidence disproving espionage charges against Omar Radi
1.Arnaud Simons is a real person
2.The use of incorrect spellings of his name made authorities in #Morocco believe he is a 'fake person' or foreign agent
#freeomarradi #Journalismisnotacrime
bit.ly/2TIIR3E
2
Almost a year ago journalist Omar Radi was arrested in #Morocco.
He is an independent critical journalist, specialising in investigative journalism.
And now Omar is standing trial for doing his job.
Almost a year ago journalist Omar Radi was arrested in #Morocco.
He is an independent critical journalist, specialising in investigative journalism.
And now Omar is standing trial for doing his job.
3
One of the charges against him is 'spying for the Netherlands embassy in Rabat'.
#freeomarradi #Journalismisnotacrime #freekoulchi #Marokko
One of the charges against him is 'spying for the Netherlands embassy in Rabat'.
#freeomarradi #Journalismisnotacrime #freekoulchi #Marokko
https://twitter.com/DarbaSoltan/status/1410362107367993344
4
Another accusation is sexual assault of a colleague. This serious accusation needs to be investigated but there are many indications that it was a set-up. The only witness confirming Omar's denial is now accused of being complicit.
Another accusation is sexual assault of a colleague. This serious accusation needs to be investigated but there are many indications that it was a set-up. The only witness confirming Omar's denial is now accused of being complicit.
5
Back to the espionage accusation.
I have been a member of that embassy from 2009 until 2015. I have never noticed anything that resembles espionage.
(Except for the presence of a colleague who acts as liaison with the Moroccan secret services).
Back to the espionage accusation.
I have been a member of that embassy from 2009 until 2015. I have never noticed anything that resembles espionage.
(Except for the presence of a colleague who acts as liaison with the Moroccan secret services).
6
The espionage charges against Omar are based on his intensive contacts with another member of the NL embassy in Rabat, my former colleague Arnaud Simons.
That is a ridiculous accusation for several reasons.
The espionage charges against Omar are based on his intensive contacts with another member of the NL embassy in Rabat, my former colleague Arnaud Simons.
That is a ridiculous accusation for several reasons.
7
The first practical reason is that Arnaud Simons was not a diplomat. He worked at the embassy on a local contract. And he is not Dutch but Belgian.
Arnaud has disproven the espionage charges in an open letter published in January this year (in French).
arnaudsimons.medium.com
The first practical reason is that Arnaud Simons was not a diplomat. He worked at the embassy on a local contract. And he is not Dutch but Belgian.
Arnaud has disproven the espionage charges in an open letter published in January this year (in French).
arnaudsimons.medium.com
8
In that open letter, and in other communications, Simons has expressed his preparedness to attend the trial of Omar as a witness to disprove the espionage charges.
In that open letter, and in other communications, Simons has expressed his preparedness to attend the trial of Omar as a witness to disprove the espionage charges.
9
Another reason why the accusation of espionage is nonsense is the fact that because of Simons' status as local staff, he did not have access to confidential information or meetings, these were restricted to expatriate staff (diplomats).
Another reason why the accusation of espionage is nonsense is the fact that because of Simons' status as local staff, he did not have access to confidential information or meetings, these were restricted to expatriate staff (diplomats).
10
In 2017 Omar made a trip to Al Hoceima and made a short docu for Al Jazeera. According to justice authorities the trip was also to collect intel for the NL embassy.
In 2017 Omar made a trip to Al Hoceima and made a short docu for Al Jazeera. According to justice authorities the trip was also to collect intel for the NL embassy.
11
This is again a crazy theory. If the Dutch need intel on the Rif (North of Morocco) they just have to read websites of critical Riffians in the Netherlands, there is plenty of them.
arifnews.com
This is again a crazy theory. If the Dutch need intel on the Rif (North of Morocco) they just have to read websites of critical Riffians in the Netherlands, there is plenty of them.
arifnews.com
12
And Dutch journalists (Bahara, Ezzeroili) have reported from Al Hoceima in the summer of 2017.
@NadiaEzzeroili
volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achterg…
And Dutch journalists (Bahara, Ezzeroili) have reported from Al Hoceima in the summer of 2017.
@NadiaEzzeroili
volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achterg…
13
During the trial of Omar, Moroccan judicial authorities claimed that the person of Arnaud Simons is a fake identity, representing the 'agent' who was 'running' Omar as a spy.
In the file of Omar, the name of Arnaud Simons is spelled in 7(!) different ways.
During the trial of Omar, Moroccan judicial authorities claimed that the person of Arnaud Simons is a fake identity, representing the 'agent' who was 'running' Omar as a spy.
In the file of Omar, the name of Arnaud Simons is spelled in 7(!) different ways.
14
This is another demonstration of the incompetence of the authorities to verify in their own archives that the person of Arnaud Simons is a real person who has been living and working in #Morocco for a number of years.
This is another demonstration of the incompetence of the authorities to verify in their own archives that the person of Arnaud Simons is a real person who has been living and working in #Morocco for a number of years.
15
The authorities have only verified the archive of their Ministry of FA and could not find Simons' name in the archive of diplomats residing in #Morocco.
Not a surprise, since, Simons was NOT a diplomat.
But they did not extend their search to other ministries or agencies
The authorities have only verified the archive of their Ministry of FA and could not find Simons' name in the archive of diplomats residing in #Morocco.
Not a surprise, since, Simons was NOT a diplomat.
But they did not extend their search to other ministries or agencies
16
Last week the judge decided that Omar's defence may not call witnesses, and rejected Simons' offer to stand as a witness.
This made him decide to publish a new open letter (in French), providing evidence about his stay in #Morocco between 2012 and 2015
bit.ly/2TIIR3E
Last week the judge decided that Omar's defence may not call witnesses, and rejected Simons' offer to stand as a witness.
This made him decide to publish a new open letter (in French), providing evidence about his stay in #Morocco between 2012 and 2015
bit.ly/2TIIR3E
17
He shows a number of data that unequivocally show all details of his identity in those years.
Would a spy running agent reveal this?
bit.ly/2TIIR3E
He shows a number of data that unequivocally show all details of his identity in those years.
Would a spy running agent reveal this?
bit.ly/2TIIR3E
18
In his letter Simons presents
-his residency permit
-his vehicle registration certificate
-details of his bank account
bit.ly/2TIIR3E
In his letter Simons presents
-his residency permit
-his vehicle registration certificate
-details of his bank account
bit.ly/2TIIR3E
19
Why is Simons disclosing all this?
Because his friend Omar could be unjustly convicted and disappear behind bars for many years.
It this would happen it will not be because of espionage, but for being a critical journalist.
This outcome would be unbearable for Simons.
Why is Simons disclosing all this?
Because his friend Omar could be unjustly convicted and disappear behind bars for many years.
It this would happen it will not be because of espionage, but for being a critical journalist.
This outcome would be unbearable for Simons.
20
In the end of his new open letter Simons quotes the Moroccan constitution which states that justice in #Morocco is independent and the judge should protect the rights and liberties of any person.
In the end of his new open letter Simons quotes the Moroccan constitution which states that justice in #Morocco is independent and the judge should protect the rights and liberties of any person.
21
The coming weeks will show if Omar's right to a fair trial is being respected. The first indicators are not positive, given the rejection of the judge to allow witnesses to testify for Omar and against the accusations.
The coming weeks will show if Omar's right to a fair trial is being respected. The first indicators are not positive, given the rejection of the judge to allow witnesses to testify for Omar and against the accusations.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
