Rabat: Clashes erupted in a northern Moroccan city after authorities sought to arrest a well-known antigovernment protester who interrupted a Friday prayer sermon.
Political protests are rare in Morocco, but tensions in Al Hoceima city have been simmering since October after the death of a fishmonger who was crushed inside a garbage truck while trying to retrieve fish confiscated by the police.
A preacher in a local mosque criticised the so-called “Hirak” protests as “inciting unrest.” In response, Nasser Zefzafi, leader of the “Hirak” movement, interrupted the sermon in the mosque.
Clashes broke out between police and his supporters near Zefzafi’s home.
State news agency MAP confirmed an arrest warrant was issued for Zefzafi and an investigation had been opened into him and those with him during the mosque incident.
The Interior Ministry did not respond to a request for details on the incident.
But the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, charged with overseeing Friday prayer sermons, denounced Zefzafi’s actions as an “enormous disorder.”
“The law stipulates sanctions against those who hinder religious rites,” the statement read. “This incident constitutes vile behaviour.”
The penal code punishes those who hinder religious ceremonies with a prison term ranging from six months to three years, and with fines.
