Ex-Guantanamo Moroccans cleared

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Five Moroccan men who were released from detention at the US base in Guantanamo Bay have been cleared of terrorism-related charges in Morocco.

The five were handed to Moroccan authorities in 2004.

They were accused of belonging to a criminal group and failing to denounce crimes threatening state security. Two remain in custody on other charges.

The US has released nine Moroccans from the Cuban base since 2004. Morocco says four now remain.

Rabat's criminal appeal court acquitted the five men. The two still held face charges of attempting to recruit volunteers to fight in Iraq.

Moroccan Human Rights Association member Saadoune Boujemaa said the acquittals came as "a relief".

Three ex-Guantanamo Bay detainees were jailed for three to five years in Morocco in November for creating a criminal group.