Al Arjat 1 prison refutes online claims over Lachgar’s detention conditions, says committed to her dignity and rights

The administration of Al Arjat 1 Local Prison has refuted online claims regarding the detention conditions of Ibtissame “Betty” Lachgar, stressing its commitment to safeguarding her dignity and ensuring her legal and human rights. 

In a statement, the prison administration said Lachgar has received regular and continuous medical care since her admission, including 33 medical examinations, 19 conducted within the prison and 14 at external medical facilities, among them, psychiatric consultations. 

The administration highlighted that Lachgar had undergone surgery on her left shoulder before being admitted to the facility on August 10, 2025, and had provided medical documents confirming the procedure.

It added that she had been scheduled for a surgical procedure at Moulay Youssef Hospital on March 12, 2026, but declined in writing to leave the prison for hospitalization.

According to the administration, she justified her decision by citing psychological reasons and her wish to consult her personal physician outside the prison, believing that the proposed intervention did not meet her treatment expectations.

The administration also stressed that the inmate has sufficient bedding and blankets.

Regarding claims about access to books, the prison administration said Lachgar regularly receives books from the prison library, her family, and her legal defense team, adding that she has never filed a complaint about being denied reading materials. 

It also noted that Lachgar was recognized as the prison’s best reader after reading more than 100 books while in custody. 

According to the administration, no books have been prohibited from entering the facility except for one novel deemed to contain inappropriate content.

The statement also said she has received books in both French and English, including 111 provided by her family, in addition to many others from the prison library.