Moroccan judge orders release of historian
A Moroccan judge has ordered the provisional release of dissident writer and rights activist Maati Monjib, who was held in custody pending an investigation into money-laundering allegations, in a case that has worried rights defenders. His release was confirmed by his lawyer Mohamed Messaoudi. Monjib has been on a hunger strike since March 4, triggering a wave of solidarity by rights groups in Morocco and abroad calling for his release. A university historian who writes frequent newspaper editorials, Monjib has often criticised Morocco's record on freedom of expression and human rights. In late December, a judge ordered Monjib to be…