Jailed Moroccan rapper "prisoner of conscience": rights group

GlobalPost

Is he guilty of assaulting a monarchist or just damning anti-monarchy lyrics?

The trial of Moroccan rapper Mouad Belrhouat -- also known as El-Haqed, or "The Sullen One" -- has begun in Casablanca, Reuters reports. He is being charged with assault after reportedly injuring a monarchist in a brawl.

But Belrhouat, who writes rap songs with searing commentary critical of the Moroccan king, is a political pawn for a regime cracking down on dissent, Morocco's most prominent rights group says. 

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