Moroccan authorities have expelled two French reporters for working without permission Monday, Reuters reported, a move that has concerned human rights groups over the increased press freedom violations in the Middle East-North Africa region.
AP said the two reporters were deported for filming without the proper work permits and for what the Interior Ministry called "suspicious and illegal" actions. They were working for Premieres Lignes Agency when they were arrested Sunday while trying to conduct interviews at the Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH), according to Reuters.
"The police forcibly entered the premises of the association and took away the journalists, causing a big disturbance in the neighborhood," AMDH Executive Director Youssef Raissouni told the AP.
AMDH told the AP 40 officers surrounded the building and refused to show "permission to enter the premises." The Interior Ministry said the French reporters violated laws that covered video journalists but did not provide further details.
In Reporters Without Borders' 2014 World Press Freedom Index, Morocco had a low rank of 136 (154 being the lowest press freedom). The AP reported Moroccan authorities also prevented France 24 from filming a program for not having work permits a month ago.
