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Moroccan partner jailed with Briton for ‘homosexual acts’ freed Moroccan partner jailed with Briton for ‘homosexual acts’ freed
(about 2 hours later)
Jamal Jam Wald Nass, the partner of Ray Cole, who were imprisoned together in a Moroccan jail for “homosexual acts”, has been released following The British tourist’s release. Jamal Jam Wald Nass, who was imprisoned with his partner, Ray Cole, in a Moroccan jail for “homosexual acts”, has been freed following the British tourist’s release.
The Moroccan national, believed to be in his 20s and whose name is the subject of some confusion owing to the secrecy with which his sexual orientation is held, left prison early on Thursday morning, pending an appeal hearing, due in the next few weeks. The Moroccan national, believed to be in his 20s and who might be using a false name to keep his sexual orientation secret, left prison early on Thursday morning, pending an appeal hearing in the next few weeks.
Cole’s son Adrian, 41, confirmed to the Guardian, “I have spoken to Jamal. We were able to reach him on the phone this morning after he was released. We are relieved and thrilled that he was been let out.” Cole’s son Adrian, 41, confirmed to the Guardian: “I have spoken to Jamal. We were able to reach him on the phone this morning after he was released. We are relieved and thrilled that he has been let out.”
Adrian Cole’s sister, Gemma Scott-Hake, confirmed on the Facebook page set up to campaign for Nass’s release: “I can confirm 100% that Jamal has been released and will return to uni Monday.” Adrian’s sister, Gemma Scott-Hake, confirmed on a Facebook page set up to campaign for Nass’s release: “I can confirm 100% that Jamal has been released and will return to uni Monday.”
She also confirmed what many had formerly been saying, that due to the laws and hostile culture towards gay people in Morocco, many in Nass’s family are still unaware of the reasons for his incarceration. “The only members of his family that know are his brothers and will not be telling the rest of the family.” She also confirmed that due to the laws and hostile culture towards gay people in Morocco, many in Nass’s family are still unaware of the reasons for his incarceration. “The only members of his family that know are his brothers and will not be telling the rest of the family.”
It would appear Nass is also known as Ould Nass. Adrian Cole told the Guardian: “He may be going by an assumed name because of the situation with his family.” It would appear Nass is also known as Ould Nass. Adrian said: “He may be going by an assumed name because of the situation with his family.”
The couple, who met online earlier this year and enjoyed a two-week holiday in Morocco, were arrested on 18 September at a bus stop in Marrakech. Cole and Nass, who met online earlier this year and enjoyed a two-week holiday in Morocco, were arrested on 18 September at a bus stop in Marrakech.
Police claim they found photographic evidence on Coles’s phone of “homosexual acts”, a crime in the mostly Muslim country. After their arrest and immediate imprisonment officials scoured Coles’s Facebook page and email account for further “incriminating” evidence. Police claim they found photographic evidence on Cole’s phone of “homosexual acts”, a crime in the mostly Muslim country. After their arrest and immediate imprisonment, officials scoured Cole’s Facebook page and email account for further “incriminating” evidence.
After two adjournments a court in the capital heard the case on 2 October. The judge found both parties guilty of “homosexual acts” and passed a four-month custodial sentence. Coles’s family immediately launched a campaign for his release, in part amid concerns over the grandfather’s health. Cole, 69, from Deal in Kent, boarded a flight soon after his release and returned to his family on Monday evening. After two adjournments, a court in the capital heard the case on 2 October. The judge found both parties guilty of “homosexual acts” and sentenced them to four months in prison. Cole’s family immediately launched a campaign for his release, in part amid concerns over the grandfather’s health. Cole, 69, from Deal in Kent, boarded a flight soon after his release and returned to his family on Monday evening.
His son told the Guardian that Cole is seeing his GP on Thursday due to worsening health following three weeks sleeping on a concrete floor in the Moroccan prison. Cole, who turns 70 later this month and who volunteers at a local charity driving the elderly to hospital, has previously suffered heart problems and a stroke. His son told the Guardian that Cole is seeing his GP on Thursday due to worsening health following three weeks of sleeping on a concrete floor in the Moroccan prison. Cole, who turns 70 later this month and who volunteers at a local charity driving the elderly to hospital, has previously suffered heart problems and a stroke.