MOROCCO-BURKINA FASO: Students in trouble with the law

Supporters of imprisoned students in Marrakesh, Morocco, held a solidarity procession while most of 35 students on trial in Burkino Faso's capital Ouagadougou for criminal damage and wounding law officers were discharged - and four who were found guilty avoided closed prison sentences.

The procession in Morocco was organised last weekend in Zagora as a mark of solidarity with 18 imprisoned students, including seven who were jailed following clashes with police near halls of residence at Marrakesh University in May, reported Libération of Casablanca (see "Student clashes with police", University World News, 22 June 2008).

At a mass meeting in support of the students before the demonstration, there were calls for their release and demands that the authorities respect their rights and hold them separately from other prisoners and allow them to continue their studies.

Meanwhile, four students were sentenced to six months' suspended prison terms and 31 others were discharged by an Ouagadougou criminal court after they appeared on charges of destroying university property and wounding law enforcement officers during clashes with police last month, when they were protesting against conditions of work, reported Sidwaya from Ouagadougou (see "Student clashes with police", University World News, 22 June 2008).
Full Morocco report on the AllAfrica.com site
Full Burkino Faso report on the Sidwaya site