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Morocco expels 2 French nationals over shooting "obscene video" at historic site

Xinhua, June 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Moroccan authorities on Tuesday arrested and expelled two French nationals for shooting an "obscene video" at a historic site in the capital Rabat.

A video posted on YouTube depicts the two topless women, who belong to the feminist Femen activist group, kissing with the slogan "in gay we trust" painted on their bare chests.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that it decided to expel and ban the French nationals from entering the country because of their provocative acts which "constitute an unacceptable offense to the entire Moroccan society."

"Those involved were arrested by the police of Rabat-Sale International Airport following the filming of obscene scenes at the Tour Hassan esplanade," the statement noted, referring to a half-built minaret dating back to the 12th century, along with the tomb of King Mohammed V.

Homosexuality is criminalized under Article 489 of the Moroccan penal code and people are periodically jailed for it.

This was at least the second demonstration by the feminist group in a Muslim country following the sentencing of three European activists to four months in jail by Tunisia in 2013. They were released after serving one month behind the bars. Endit