Thousands mark in Morocco week since fish vendor's death
Xinhua, November 5, 2016 Adjust font size:
Thousands of protesters gathered in the northern city of Hoceima Morocco on Friday to mark a week since the tragic death of a fish vendor in the city.
After gathering in the Mohammed V Square in Hoceima, protesters marched in the main streets of the city demanding justice for the fish vendor who was crushed to death by a garbage truck last Friday in the northern city.
Mouhcine Fikri, 31, jumped along with some friends into the truck to retrieve his merchandise after being confiscated by local authorities on the basis that it is a protected species in this period of the year in the country.
The death of Fikri has sparked nationwide outrage. Since last Saturday, numerous demonstrations and sit-ins have been staged in the city of Hoceima. On Sunday, thousands marched in protests across the country, including the capital Rabat and major cities like Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakesh and Agadir.
On Tuesday, prosecutor announced the arrest of 11 people, including two local security agents and the head of the local fisheries department, on charges including manslaughter and other offenses relating to the death.
The Moroccan Interior Minister visited Sunday Hoceima to offer condolences to the family of Mouhcine Fikri.
According to a statement by the Interior Ministry, the minister informed Fikri's family of King Mohammed VI instructions for conducting a "careful and thorough investigation and bringing charges against whoever held responsible in this incident." Endit