Rabat- Two French journalists from “l’Agence Premières Lignes” were deported on Sunday from Rabat, for filming a documentary without authorization.
Paul Moreira, founder of Premieres Lignes, said in a statement that the two journalists, Jean-Louis Perez and Pierre Chautard, were filming a documentary on Morocco's economy for the French channel France 3.
But Moroccan authorities said that the two French journalists were arrested in the headquarters of the Human Right Watch chapter in Rabat for suspicious filming activities without obtaining a permission from the competent authorities.
“The two French nationals were involved in suspicious and illegal acts in violation of the law governing press reporting,” a statement issued by the prefecture of Rabat said.
“This decision was made in conformity with the law number 02.03 on the entry and stay of foreigners in the Kingdom of Morocco,” the same source added.
The statement noted that the authorities tried on multiple occasions to open a dialogue with the two French nationals with regard to the need of obtaining a permission to conduct press reporting.
After they refused to comply, the General Prosecutor ordered the confiscation of the cameras they used, added the statement.
Mustapha El Khalfi, Minister of Communications and the Government Spokesperson, said on Sunday in a statement, that the journalists in question were not given any permission to film a documentary for a French channel.
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