Sixty young migrants have returned to Morocco after being released from prisons and detention facilities in Algeria, the Association Marocaine d'Aide aux Migrants en Situation Vulnérable (Moroccan Association to Aid Migrants in Difficult Situations, Amsv) said on Thursday (January 2).

The association, based in Oujda, wrote on its Facebook page that the operation was carried out at a border center in Algeria.

Over 480 Moroccans still detained

According to Amsv, which is monitoring the cases of Moroccans who have been reported missing or detained along migration routes in Tunisia, Libya and Algeria, the operation was conducted in two phases: some detainees had already spent over three years in prison, in addition to a year in administrative detention.

The association added in a report that the 60 young people who have served terms in Algerian prisons and detention centers are from the cities of Fas, Bourafa, Jeddah, Volcano, Taza, Karsif, Mohammadiya, Taunat, Nador, Asfi, Yousufiya, Fik, Ashtoka, Kribka, Tatwan, Warzzat, Tandarara, Bani Melal, Damnat, Sidi Banour, Qala, Ayat Bilal and Ultana.

The organization added that it is currently handling over 480 cases of Moroccans detained in Algeria.

Moreover, six bodies remain in Algerian morgues, including those of two young women from the eastern region of Morocco, ahead of the judicial and administrative procedures to transfer them.

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Accused of 'human trafficking', 'concerning detention conditions'

The Oujda-based association stated that it has requested the intervention of the International Red Cross due to reports of concerning detention conditions. These include a lack of medical assistance, restrictions on communication with family members, and inadequate legal support.

The Moroccan detainees face charges of "human trafficking, money laundering, illegal immigration, and forming criminal gangs." However, the association noted that many have been sent to trial "without proper defense or sufficient legal representation."

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