The Democratic Left Federation has condemned the legal proceedings against two of its members, activists Mohamed Brahmi, known as «MoVo» and Redouane Marzouki, in connection with the protests in the city of Figuig against the privatization of the water sector. In a statement, the federation noted that on May 5, 2025, an employee of the regional multi-service company responsible for distributing water and electricity attempted to collect data and ID cards from residents of one of the ksour (traditional villages) in the Figuig oasis. The residents strongly opposed the measure, viewing it as part of a broader project to privatize water management and transform a fundamental human right into a commercial commodity. This sparked outrage and prompted a group of locals to gather at the Taghit border area to protest what they saw as an attempt to impose a fait accompli on Figuig's residents. According to the same statement, both Mohamed Brahmi and Redouane Marzouki were summoned the following day by the judicial police in Figuig, where they were questioned about the incident. They were then placed in custody based on a complaint filed by the employee, accusing them of obstructing his official duties. On Wednesday, May 6, 2025, the two activists were brought before the Bouarfa Primary Court, where the public prosecutor decided to press charges and maintain them in custody. Their trial was scheduled to begin on May 8, 2025. The federation described the prosecution as «a new episode in the ongoing criminalization of peaceful and legitimate social movements», denouncing what it called a «security-driven, exclusionary approach» instead of a policy of dialogue and participatory governance of local affairs and natural resources. It called for the charges against the activists to be dropped and demanded an end to all forms of harassment against them. It also stressed the importance of serious, responsible dialogue with residents and their representatives to ensure water remains a public service not subjected to profit-driven logic. Mohamed Brahmi, known as «MoVo», previously served an eight-month prison sentence following a complaint filed by the governor of Figuig related to protests in February 2024. The city has witnessed more than a year and a half of sustained demonstrations, with residents calling for the reversal of a municipal council decision to delegate the management of drinking water, electricity, and wastewater services to the East Distribution intercommunal group—seen by many as a move toward privatizing essential public services.
