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British tourist jailed in Morocco for ‘homosexual acts’ arrives back in UK British tourist jailed in Morocco for ‘homosexual acts’ arrives back in UK
(about 1 hour later)
A British holidaymaker jailed in Morocco for “homosexual acts” had a tearful reunion with his family as he returned to the UK following his release from prison.A British holidaymaker jailed in Morocco for “homosexual acts” had a tearful reunion with his family as he returned to the UK following his release from prison.
Ray Cole, 69, who came out as gay a few years ago, was arrested on 18 September at a bus stop in Marrakech with Jamal Jam Wald Nass, a local man in his 20s with whom Cole had struck up a relationship online several months previously.Ray Cole, 69, who came out as gay a few years ago, was arrested on 18 September at a bus stop in Marrakech with Jamal Jam Wald Nass, a local man in his 20s with whom Cole had struck up a relationship online several months previously.
In custody, the Moroccan authorities found a photo on Cole’s phone purportedly providing evidence of “homosexual acts”, which are illegal in the predominantly Muslim country. In custody, the Moroccan authorities found a photo on Cole’s phone purportedly providing evidence of “homosexual acts”, which are illegal in the predominantly Muslim country. The pair were languishing in a crowded, barbed-wire topped Marrakesh jail but Cole was granted a conditional release after an appeal was lodged.
The pair were languishing in a crowded, barbed-wire topped Marrakesh jail but Cole was granted a conditional release after an appeal was lodged. Cole was met by his family at Gatwick airport on Tuesday night and told reporters that he was relieved to be back home. He said: “I did not expect this at all – I thought I was going to be transferred to a different prison. They gave me a choice of staying in Morocco another night or getting the next flight back.
Cole was met by his family at Gatwick airport on Tuesday night and told reporters that he was relieved to be back home.
He said: “I did not expect this at all - I thought I was going to be transferred to a different prison. They gave me a choice of staying in Morocco another night or getting the next flight back.
“You would not believe it, it’s horrendous. It’s not a prison, it’s a concentration camp. People are in there from the age of 10 to 80 and 90s for nothing. I can hardly move my arm from sleeping on the floor.”“You would not believe it, it’s horrendous. It’s not a prison, it’s a concentration camp. People are in there from the age of 10 to 80 and 90s for nothing. I can hardly move my arm from sleeping on the floor.”
When asked about the support from his family he said: “I’m so proud of them - I could not have a better family.” When asked about the support from his family he said: “I’m so proud of them – I could not have a better family.” His son, Adrian Cole, 41, said: “Our legal team in Marrakesh lodged an appeal. It has moved much faster than we expected and the court was able to take the step of releasing my father.
His son, Adrian Cole, 41, said: “Our legal team in Marrakesh lodged an appeal. “We would like to express our gratitude as a family to the thousands of people who have offered us their support and kindness. I would also like to offer my thanks to the Moroccan authorities.” It is unclear what has happened to Nass.
“It has moved much faster than we expected and the court was able to take the step of releasing my father. The case has generated huge interest on social media from supporters who asked for the Moroccan authorities to free retired Cole, who is from Deal in Kent. As well as a petition, a free Ray Cole hashtag circulated on Twitter and a Facebook page was set up calling for the release of Cole, who has a minor heart condition.
“We would like to express our gratitude as a family to the thousands of people who have offered us their support and kindness. I would also like to offer my thanks to the Moroccan authorities.” He struck up a friendship with Nass on Facebook. It was on Cole’s second visit to Morocco to see him that they were detained at a bus stop by officers. Cole, who is 70 on 25 October, was four weeks into a five-week break in the north African country when the pair were arrested.
It is unclear what has happened to Nass. Confusion initially reigned over where he was being held until he was eventually tracked down. On 2 October his family received a phone call telling them the pair had been jailed for four months. They had feared a six-month jail term as a worst-case scenario.
The case has generated huge interest on social media from supporters who asked for the Moroccan authorities to free retired Cole, who is from Deal in Kent. He was being kept in a cell intended for 44 men that was holding 60, forcing Cole to sleep on the ground and live with dangerous prisoners. Relatives tried to make his time behind bars more bearable by buying essentials, including multivitamins to compensate for the lack of nutritional food.
As well as a petition, a “Free Ray Cole” hashtag circulated on Twitter and a Facebook page was set up calling for the release of Cole, who has a minor heart condition. Adrian Cole said the guards and prison governor had treated the family “graciously” and that his father’s release had been a “massive step towards restoring my faith towards the Moroccan system”. The Foreign Office website says homosexuality is a criminal offence in Morocco. It states: “Sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law.”
He struck up a friendship with Nass on Facebook. It was on Cole’s second visit to Morocco to see him that they were detained at a bus stop by officers. But Cole’s MP, Conservative Charlie Elphicke, branded the charges “medieval” and said it showed British tourists were not safe in Morocco. The former deputy speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans also lashed out at the “archaic” law that sent Cole to prison.
Cole, who is 70 on 25 October, was four weeks into a five-week break in the north African country when the pair were arrested.
Confusion initially reigned over where he was being held until he was eventually tracked down.
On 2 October his family received a phone call telling them the pair had been jailed for four months. They had feared a six-month jail term as a worst-case scenario.
He was being kept in a cell intended for 44 men which was holding 60, forcing Cole to sleep on the ground and live with dangerous prisoners.
Relatives tried to make his time behind bars more bearable by buying essentials, including multi-vitamins to compensate for the lack of nutritional food.
Adrian Cole said the guards and prison governor had treated the family “graciously” and that his father’s release had been a “massive step towards restoring my faith towards the Moroccan system”.
The Foreign Office website says homosexuality is a criminal offence in Morocco.
It states: “Sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law.”
But Cole’s local MP, Conservative Charlie Elphicke, branded the charges “medieval” and said it showed British tourists were not safe in Morocco.
Former deputy speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans also lashed out at the “archaic” law that sent Cole to prison.