Liberal Youth politicians escorted out of South Morocco
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Two representatives of the Liberal Youth of Norway were this morning stopped by Moroccan police and escorted out of southern Morocco. The police did not want them to travel to the occupied territory.
Published 23 January 2017


At 04:30 this morning, Norwegian time, Ms Kristine Kolstad and Mr Knut Øye Brandsås were picked out of the bus where there where sitting, and forced to leave the bus on the way to Western Sahara.

"Half an hour later we were forced into a car, obliged to go back the direction we had come from, with four other Norwegians", Kristine Eugenie Kolstad of Liberal Youth's international committee told.

They were first told that it was unsafe for them to travel to the territory.

"When we responded that it would constitute no problem, they simply stated that we were not welcome", Mr Brandsås stated. Norwegian media covered his expulsion today.

"The Saharawi people has a fundamental right to decide their own future for themselves, through a referendum. We travelled to learn about the need for that referendum which the UN has negotiated, but which Morocco is blocking", Kolstad said.

"Today, furthermore, an important trial commences against leading Saharawi human rights defenders, already convicted to lifetime sentences for having organised protests in Western Sahara", Kolstad told.

Six police officers were present at the check-point. At 05:15 AM this morning, the car drove direction Agadir. Also student politicians and youth politicians from Green Youth were on board the car. They are expected to arrive Agadir at 0900 AM this morning.

In total, seven delegations of Norwegians have been stopped by police and thrown out of Western Sahara or South Morocco during the course of the last two days.

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