The Tetouan Court of First Instance has sentenced several taxi-sector professionals to six months in prison, in connection with cases involving allegations of assisting irregular migration toward the city of Ceuta.
Following the rulings, the provincial office of the National Taxi Drivers’ Union, affiliated with the Democratic Confederation of Labour (FDT), issued a statement expressing its follow-up of the cases and its surprise at the sentences handed down against the professionals concerned.
The union reaffirmed its respect for the independence of the judiciary, while stressing that taxi drivers’ professional duties consist of transporting passengers within the framework of their regulated activity, with their responsibilities defined by the laws governing the profession.
According to the statement, professional taxi drivers transport citizens between different cities and destinations, including areas located near Ceuta. The union argued that verifying individuals’ identities and monitoring their movements fall within the responsibilities of the competent authorities.
The union called for the rulings to be reviewed before the Court of Appeal in accordance with the law and with whatever the court deems appropriate. It also called on trade unions and human rights organizations to follow the case and support the professionals concerned through the relevant legal procedures.
The development comes amid continued judicial proceedings related to irregular migration cases in northern Morocco, particularly in areas close to Ceuta, where such cases have attracted increasing attention from various stakeholders.