Soulaimane Raissouni

Soulaimane Raissouni
سليمان الريسوني
Born (1972-06-05) 5 June 1972 (age 52)
Ksar el-Kebir, Morocco
OccupationJournalist
FamilyAhmad al-Raysuni (brother)
Hajar Raissouni (niece)

Soulaimane Raissouni (Arabic: سليمان الريسوني) (born 5 June 1972) is a Moroccan journalist, editorialist, and human rights activist. He was working as the chief editor of the newspaper Akhbar Al Yaoum,[1] being notable for his editorials, criticizing government corruption and advocating political reform.[2] On May 22, 2020, Raissouni was arrested over charges of “indecent assault” against another man.[3] His arrest triggered a movement of solidarity among his sympathizers, both in Morocco and internationally, alleging that his case is part of a defamation campaign targeting journalists and rights activists critical of Moroccan authorities.[4]

After almost a year of imprisonment without a trial (being constantly postponed), Soulaimane Raissouni started on April 8, 2021, together with another detained journalist, Omar Radi, a hunger strike to press their demands to be freed.[5] and obtain either "freedom, justice or death"[6]

Soulaimane Raissouni is the brother of Ahmad al-Raysuni, and the uncle of Hajar Raissouni.[7]

  1. ^ A Victim Not Only of Unjust Laws, but of ‘Unjust Authorities’ - The New York Times (2019)
  2. ^ Opinion: Morocco’s jailed journalists deserve the Biden administration’s attention - Editorial Board - The Washington Post(2021)
  3. ^ Soulaimane Raissouni Remains Behind Bars for Alleged Indecent Assault - Morocco World News (2020)
  4. ^ Moroccan journalist Omar Radi breaks hunger strike due to ill health - France 24 (2021)
  5. ^ Hunger Strike Announced by Detainees Soulaimane Raissouni and Omar Radi 'Has No Connection with Conditions of Detention' - DGAPR Maghreb Arab Press (2021)
  6. ^ Hunger strike is last resort for some imprisoned Moroccan journalists - Reporters Sans Frontieres (2021)
  7. ^ Moroccan Journalist on Trial for an Abortion She Says She Never Had - The New York Times (2019)