The Diplomat
The Moroccan authorities expelled Spanish activist Nuria Bota last Thursday when she was about to visit El Aaiún, according to the organisation Una Finestra al Món, to which she belongs.
The Catalan organisation stated on its Twitter account that, “for days she was observed, watched and pursued until she was finally expelled and forcibly transferred to Agadir”.
According to the pro-Saharawi media Equipe Media, the Moroccan police intercepted the activist at the entrance to El Aaiún when she was about to visit the city to interview Saharawi activists and held her for several hours, after identifying her, before proceeding to expel her.
“From Una Finestra al Món Sahara Lliure (A Window to the World Free Sahara) we denounce the situation and ask the entire Saharawi community and sympathisers of the cause for their support and dissemination”, the organisation said.
It is not the first time that Morocco has expelled Spanish activists or politicians intending to visit Western Sahara. Bota’s case comes at a sweet moment in the relationship between Spain and Morocco, following the recent High Level Meeting (RAN) held on 2 February in Rabat.
