Human Rights Watch is calling on Mauritania’s government to drop charges of blasphemy and insulting Islam against eight political activists and release the five held in pretrial detention since February 26, 2020.
The call comes as the Nouakchott West Criminal Court is due to hear the case today (Tuesday) October 20.
The prosecution accused the eight defendants of “mocking God, his messenger and the Holy Book,” and “creating, recording and publishing messages using an information system that affects the values of Islam.
They could face the death penalty if convicted.
Deborah Amuwo reports.
