Belgian lawyers have welcomed the “exemplary” climate and conditions for the Gdim Izik trial, which began on December 26, before the Criminal Chamber at the Annexe of Salé Court of Appeals.

Several human rights associations, NGOs and independent national and international organizations were in court to observe the trial.

André Martin Karongozi, a lawyer in Brussels and Rwanda and one of the international observers at the trial, gave this impression from the first hearing;

The Moroccan government showed “a genuine desire to give the opportunity to all parties, including the defendants, despite the gravity of the crimes committed, to be tried before a court of ordinary law which guarantees the full rights of defense, conflicting debates and all conditions of a fair trial.”

Sofie Michez, a Brussels lawyer, stressed that the referral of the case of Gdim Izik to a court of ordinary law constitutes in itself, “the best guarantee of a fair trial which respects the rights of the defense, the civil parties, the presumption of innocence and the conflicting debate.”

The Criminal Chamber at the Annexe of Salé Court of Appeals decided to postpone the hearing into the case of the accused in the tragic events, which accompanied the dismantling of the “Gdim Izik” camp, until January 23.

The court decided that the delay was appropriate to allow the defense adequate time to prepare its case, summon an involved individual who was out on bail and to consider the petition relating to the right of victims’ families to constitute a civil party.

There was a significant presence of family members attend the first session. The tragedy at Gdim Izik claimed the lives of 11 security forces personnel and left 70 wounded.

Source :Morocco World News