Legal fund launched for Ray Cole, gay British man jailed in Morocco

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The family of a gay British man jailed in Morocco for ‘homosexual acts’ have launched a legal fund to help fight his case.

Ray Cole, 70, a retired magazine publisher from Deal in Kent, was arrested last month, during a holiday to Marrakesh to visit a Moroccan man, Jamal Jam Wald Nass.

On Thursday he was found guilty of ‘homosexual acts’ and sentenced to four months behind bars, alongside Mr Wald Nass.

His son Adrian Cole described the trial as a “complete farce”, and claimed that the judge did not take into account Mr Cole’s medical conditions.

Following public support, Mr Cole’s family has today launched a legal fund to help pay for a lawyer to appeal the sentence.

A statement said: “Many of you have asked what you can do to help.

“Many readers/supporters would like to help cover the costs involved in the ‘legal process’ and the appeal to come, support whilst Ray is in Morocco and other unforeseeable events.

“The costs so far have accelerated into the thousands.

“This would be a massive help as good legal support is pretty pricey. Thank you all so much for your support and the love you have shown our dad.”

Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative member for Dover, said yesterday: “I urge people not to visit Morocco. If you go there you are at serious risk of facing trumped up charges for medieval crimes.

“The message is clear. Morocco is not safe for British tourists.”

Out Tory MP Nigel Evans has said he will take the case up with the Moroccan ambassador Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui – the cousin of the country’s monarch, King Mohammed VI.

Labour’s LGBT envoy Michael Cashman has also condemned Morocco, telling PinkNews: “This man should be released immediately. If not, then the Morocaans must face the economic and diplomatic consequences that will follow.”

Mike Freer, Conservative Party Vice Chair and MP for Finchley and Golders Green, added: “Morocco needs to decide if it wants to be a modern, tolerant tourist welcoming country or not.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We can confirm the detention of a British national in Morocco. We are providing consular assistance.”

The legal fund, which has so far raised £216, can be found at https://gogetfunding.com/project/freeraycole

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