On 8 October 2009, seven human rights defenders from Western Sahara were arrested at Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca, Morocco, allegedly by Moroccan security agents. All seven defenders advocate the right to self determination for the Saharawi people living in Moroccan controlled Western Sahara.

Four of the defenders were released on bail but are still facing charges. The remaining three men, Ali Salem Tamek, Brahim Dahane and Ahmad Anasiri, are still imprisoned awaiting trial.

It is thought that the arrest of the seven human rights defenders is directly linked to the visits they had made to Sahrawi refugee camps in south-west Algeria during their stay abroad.

On 7 January 2011, the ongoing trial of seven Saharawi human rights defenders was adjourned until 14 January. The human rights defenders' defence team boycotted the hearing in protest against alleged due process violations.