Rabat, April 20 -- The administration of Casablanca's Ain Borja Prison has rejected a report from Human Rights Watch that claims imprisoned Moroccan journalist Taoufik Bouachrine is being held in an "abusive solitary confinement."

The prison issued a statement asserting that Bouachrine is benefiting from all human rights like any other prisoner "without any discrimination" in accordance with the laws governing prisons.

The administration said that Bouachrine is being held in a solitary cell at his request.

Bouachrine had asked to join a cell with other prisoners, and the administration accepted his request, planning to move his belongings to a collective cell. "Nevertheless, the detainee finally withdrew his request, preferring to stay...