The remains of the late football player from Union of Tangier, Abdellatif Akhrif, arrived back in Morocco on Thursday after being held in Algeria for months.
The transfer of Akhrif’s remains took place at the Zouj Beghal border post.
Lawyer Mourad El Ajouti, a member of the Casablanca Bar Association, shared the news on his official Facebook page. “Praise be to God, the body of Abdel Latif Akhrif has finally returned home,” he wrote.
El Ajouti thanked everyone who participated in the media campaign to pressure Algerian authorities. He also acknowledged those who worked discreetly to help a grieving mother pay her respects to her son after over four months of waiting.
Akhrif tragically lost his life on July 6 during a day trip in a small boat off the shores of Algeria. He tragically drowned during the trip which he made with his friend Salman Harraq and three others, who were later rescued.
The protracted delay in the repatriation of Akhrif’s body sparked a significant outcry.