Morocco seizes PNV member of Parliament and two from Aralar

Two Basque members of Parliament Nerea Antia (Basque Nationalist Party-PNV) and Mikel Basabe ( Aralar party in Navarre) and the representative of Aralar at the Parliament of Navarra Nekane Perez, who were traveling to El Aaiun to inspect a Western Sahara refugee camp, were detained at the airport of Casablanca (Morocco).

Their passports and plane tickets were seized and they have not been allowed to leave the airport. They are expected to be deported back to Spain later today.

The Spanish Consul in Casablanca, Carlos de Lojendio went to the airport last night to meet them.

The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) MP Nerea Antia, said they were given "no explanation" as to why they were been prevented from entering Morocco.

According to Antia, they reached the airport at 12:30 from Madrid and when they tried to catch their connecting flight to the Sahara, they were stopped at the security checkpoint. She also reported that an operator of Royal Air Maroc (RAM, the Moroccan flag carrier) said that they had to spend the night at the airport and would be returned back to Madrid later on Sunday.

Aralar explained in a statement that the parliamentary delegation participated in a trip organized by Euskal Fondoa to travel to El Aaiun, in solidarity with the Saharawi people.

PNV stated that the Moroccan authorities "have shown again that they do not respect the rights of the Sahara", criticized the attitude of the Moroccan government and called on the Government of Spain "to assume its responsibility in the fight being implemented by Sahrawis".

The nationalist formation also denounced the "humiliating treatment they are receiving from the Moroccan authorities".