Islem Khoualed: “I suffered from injustice in Morocco”

Islem Khoualed arrived to Algeria on Wednesday after he had been detained in Morocco for 11 months accused of raping a Moroccan boy during an international sportive event in Agadir, a year ago.

Islem’s father said he is happy as his son’s sufferance was ended. “I am satisfied. I thank everyone who defended my son while he was in prison.”

A large number of Islem’s classmates and his brothers received him at the Algiers Airport.

“My imprisonment decision was unfair. I suffered from injustice in Morocco,” Islem told a press conference in Algiers.

He added that he used to read, practice sport and study in prison although Moroccan authorities did not allow him to continue his studies in Agadir.

“I can’t express my happiness when my father called me and said I would be released and come back to Algeria on Monday. Thanks God for everything,” he said.

His father believes that the release was a right. “I used to cry at the court to give me back my son but they refused. Thanks to God, this is right because he did not commit any crime,” he said.

Khaled Salam, Khoualed’s lawyer said the court in Agadir treated the case as a political issue. Although there was no evidence against Islem, it accused and jailed him.