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| Ray Cole interview: ‘I would go back to Moroccan prison hell for Jamal’ | Ray Cole interview: ‘I would go back to Moroccan prison hell for Jamal’ |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| “We were taken downstairs and put in holding cells. They were hell on Earth,” said British tourist Ray Cole as he began to describe the moment that he thought he would never get out of a Moroccan prison. | |
| “The stench from the toilet will live with me for ever. All our possessions were taken from us: shoelaces, belts, watches, glasses, everything. I was put in a cell that would later hold 50 or 60 people. The police sergeant came in and announced [to everyone] that I was a tourist who’d come to Marrakech to prey on young men,” the 69-year-old continued. | “The stench from the toilet will live with me for ever. All our possessions were taken from us: shoelaces, belts, watches, glasses, everything. I was put in a cell that would later hold 50 or 60 people. The police sergeant came in and announced [to everyone] that I was a tourist who’d come to Marrakech to prey on young men,” the 69-year-old continued. |
| Giving his first interview to the Guardian since his release last week, an emotional Cole revealed a catalogue of abuses by Moroccan authorities after police snatched him and his lover, Jamal Wald Nass, 22, from a street in Marrakech last month on suspicion of “homosexual acts”. | Giving his first interview to the Guardian since his release last week, an emotional Cole revealed a catalogue of abuses by Moroccan authorities after police snatched him and his lover, Jamal Wald Nass, 22, from a street in Marrakech last month on suspicion of “homosexual acts”. |
| Cole described how he was detained without charge or arrest, denied access to a lawyer, phonecall, or consular assistance and coerced into signing a written statement. That night, realising no one knew where he was, he feared he would simply “disappear into the system”. | Cole described how he was detained without charge or arrest, denied access to a lawyer, phonecall, or consular assistance and coerced into signing a written statement. That night, realising no one knew where he was, he feared he would simply “disappear into the system”. |
| Cole and Nass (not his real name) had met online six months earlier, after the Briton had joined a group on Facebook. “I can’t remember the name of it,” he says now, sitting in his living room, in Deal, Kent, surrounded by books and family photos. “I put a message up and he responded and at first I thought ‘he’s an idiot’ and I left the group.” | |
| Nass persisted, they started chatting, and an online friendship developed. In April, Cole, a retired newspaper production manager, flew out for a two-week holiday in Marrakech. There, he realised his feelings for the economics student were serious. Cole arranged another trip for September and rented an apartment in Marrakech. | |
| “What I know now is we couldn’t have picked a worse place because … police had had a crackdown because male prostitutes had been operating in that area.” The first sign of hostility came from the concierge in the apartment block “glaring” at the couple. On 18 September they left for the day to visit a local park. | “What I know now is we couldn’t have picked a worse place because … police had had a crackdown because male prostitutes had been operating in that area.” The first sign of hostility came from the concierge in the apartment block “glaring” at the couple. On 18 September they left for the day to visit a local park. |
| “Jamal went off to ask somebody [directions]. I stood under the shade of a tree and then he came back and this guy came up and started to drag Jamal away – physically. He was a policeman in plain clothes. He took Jamal by the arm and said, ‘You’re coming with me’ in Arabic.” Nass was put in a nearby police van. | “Jamal went off to ask somebody [directions]. I stood under the shade of a tree and then he came back and this guy came up and started to drag Jamal away – physically. He was a policeman in plain clothes. He took Jamal by the arm and said, ‘You’re coming with me’ in Arabic.” Nass was put in a nearby police van. |
| The officer started questioning Cole. “He said, ‘How do you know him? What’s he got to do with you?’ I said, ‘He’s staying with me.’ Then things got nasty. He pushed me away and warned, ‘Either you go or you’ll end up in the van with him.’ Jamal was really frightened, I couldn’t leave him.” | The officer started questioning Cole. “He said, ‘How do you know him? What’s he got to do with you?’ I said, ‘He’s staying with me.’ Then things got nasty. He pushed me away and warned, ‘Either you go or you’ll end up in the van with him.’ Jamal was really frightened, I couldn’t leave him.” |
| Cole asked a nearby unformed officer what was happening. “He said, ‘Go to the van, give your name and address and we’ll let your friend go.” Cole obeyed. “I was pushed into the van.” | Cole asked a nearby unformed officer what was happening. “He said, ‘Go to the van, give your name and address and we’ll let your friend go.” Cole obeyed. “I was pushed into the van.” |
| The officers drove the couple back to their apartment. “They trashed it, turning everything over, throwing things around, looking for evidence of an illicit relationship,” he said. The police found Cole’s antibiotics, which they deemed “sex aids” and a skin cream, which they cited as evidence of “something to do with sex”. | The officers drove the couple back to their apartment. “They trashed it, turning everything over, throwing things around, looking for evidence of an illicit relationship,” he said. The police found Cole’s antibiotics, which they deemed “sex aids” and a skin cream, which they cited as evidence of “something to do with sex”. |
| At the police station, although still not under arrest, Cole knew why they had been taken. “Straight away [there was] the insinuation that we were homosexual,” says Cole, “They said, ‘We’ve got religion here. You’re filth and scum.’ They did their best to humiliate us.” | At the police station, although still not under arrest, Cole knew why they had been taken. “Straight away [there was] the insinuation that we were homosexual,” says Cole, “They said, ‘We’ve got religion here. You’re filth and scum.’ They did their best to humiliate us.” |
| The first day of interrogation got under way with a stream of questions about their relationship, but with no lawyers present, no arrest and no charge. Police confiscated Cole’s phone and found a deleted picture of him, which while sexual in nature, did not also feature Nass. | The first day of interrogation got under way with a stream of questions about their relationship, but with no lawyers present, no arrest and no charge. Police confiscated Cole’s phone and found a deleted picture of him, which while sexual in nature, did not also feature Nass. |
| He added: “They claimed it was proof we were having sex. They went through everything – even my PayPal account. My personal life was examined forensically. It’s horrible. You just feel naked. They can do whatever they like. It’s a total police state.” | He added: “They claimed it was proof we were having sex. They went through everything – even my PayPal account. My personal life was examined forensically. It’s horrible. You just feel naked. They can do whatever they like. It’s a total police state.” |
| After the first day they were separated and put into holding cells at the station. “There was screaming and banging on the bars and doors, 24 hours a day,” says Cole. During the second day of interrogation Cole was taken to an interpreter. “He said they weren’t interested in me and were going to let me go so would I sign this document? But it was in Arabic. I said, ‘I don’t understand it and you’ve got my glasses so I can’t even see it. He [the interpreter] said, ‘The sooner you sign it the sooner you can go.” Cole signed it. He remains unsure what the document said. | After the first day they were separated and put into holding cells at the station. “There was screaming and banging on the bars and doors, 24 hours a day,” says Cole. During the second day of interrogation Cole was taken to an interpreter. “He said they weren’t interested in me and were going to let me go so would I sign this document? But it was in Arabic. I said, ‘I don’t understand it and you’ve got my glasses so I can’t even see it. He [the interpreter] said, ‘The sooner you sign it the sooner you can go.” Cole signed it. He remains unsure what the document said. |
| “I said, ‘I don’t even know if I’m under arrest and he asked his superior who was sitting at the table who said, ‘Well you are now.’ I said I haven’t been told what my rights are. I realised: you don’t have any. I asked for the British consul, and that was denied. I was not allowed to make a phonecall.” | “I said, ‘I don’t even know if I’m under arrest and he asked his superior who was sitting at the table who said, ‘Well you are now.’ I said I haven’t been told what my rights are. I realised: you don’t have any. I asked for the British consul, and that was denied. I was not allowed to make a phonecall.” |
| Back in the cell, Cole started to panic. “I was terrified … real terror,” he says, clutching his right arm. The next day they were taken from the police cells to the nearby prison. There were 52 people in the cell Cole was allocated – separated from Nass – and 22 bunk beds. Again he slept on a concrete floor. It would be five days before he was able to make a phonecall. | Back in the cell, Cole started to panic. “I was terrified … real terror,” he says, clutching his right arm. The next day they were taken from the police cells to the nearby prison. There were 52 people in the cell Cole was allocated – separated from Nass – and 22 bunk beds. Again he slept on a concrete floor. It would be five days before he was able to make a phonecall. |
| “I was frantic,” he says. “Absolutely frantic. I thought, ‘Nobody knows I’m here’. I found out since that my family thought I was dead.” Eventually, he was able to phone his home number – the only one he could remember. His landlord answered. “I said, ‘Tell everyone, tell Adrian [Cole’s son], get the consul here. I’m in deep trouble.” The other inmates brought Cole food and tried to calm him. | “I was frantic,” he says. “Absolutely frantic. I thought, ‘Nobody knows I’m here’. I found out since that my family thought I was dead.” Eventually, he was able to phone his home number – the only one he could remember. His landlord answered. “I said, ‘Tell everyone, tell Adrian [Cole’s son], get the consul here. I’m in deep trouble.” The other inmates brought Cole food and tried to calm him. |
| “They were so kind I can’t tell you …” he says, starting to cry. The guards, however, were different. “I saw them bash up Moroccan guys – give them a good kicking. They got a stick or something and [used] fists.” | “They were so kind I can’t tell you …” he says, starting to cry. The guards, however, were different. “I saw them bash up Moroccan guys – give them a good kicking. They got a stick or something and [used] fists.” |
| The day before Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic festival, a cow was brought to the prison courtyard. “They [the guards] slaughtered it, blade to the throat, the animal started to bleed out but [was] thrashing around. It took five minutes to saw through its head.” | |
| A week later, back in court, with the proceedings in Arabic, Nass asked the magistrate on Cole’s behalf if they needed a lawyer. “He [the magistrate] said, ‘It will be quicker if you don’t have a lawyer.” Alarmed, Cole managed to secure a local solicitor. | A week later, back in court, with the proceedings in Arabic, Nass asked the magistrate on Cole’s behalf if they needed a lawyer. “He [the magistrate] said, ‘It will be quicker if you don’t have a lawyer.” Alarmed, Cole managed to secure a local solicitor. |
| The British vice-consul was also finally able to visit. “She told me the consul had been to see me at the prison but he had been turned away because, ‘I didn’t want to see him’. So they [prison officers] lied to him.” The case was adjourned, and Cole’s family flew out. | The British vice-consul was also finally able to visit. “She told me the consul had been to see me at the prison but he had been turned away because, ‘I didn’t want to see him’. So they [prison officers] lied to him.” The case was adjourned, and Cole’s family flew out. |
| Cole was kept in difficult conditions near the court, a 12ft room with 60 prisoners. “It’s sheer hell, you can’t sit, you can’t stand, hardly.” | Cole was kept in difficult conditions near the court, a 12ft room with 60 prisoners. “It’s sheer hell, you can’t sit, you can’t stand, hardly.” |
| In court he saw his daughter, Gemma, and ex-wife, Margaret. “I was so happy because it made me realise [I wasn’t] on my own anymore.” Later that day Cole’s family visited him in prison. | In court he saw his daughter, Gemma, and ex-wife, Margaret. “I was so happy because it made me realise [I wasn’t] on my own anymore.” Later that day Cole’s family visited him in prison. |
| “It was so emotional,” he says, breaking down again. “I knew then they would do anything they possibly could to get me out.” The final hearing took place several days later, on 2 October, but the family was advised not to attend. | “It was so emotional,” he says, breaking down again. “I knew then they would do anything they possibly could to get me out.” The final hearing took place several days later, on 2 October, but the family was advised not to attend. |
| “It’s like a circus,” says Cole. “A couple of hundred people,” were in the public gallery and the interpreter “only interpreted what I was asked and my answer so whatever else was said I don’t know.” The judge found Cole and Nass guilty of “homosexual acts”. | “It’s like a circus,” says Cole. “A couple of hundred people,” were in the public gallery and the interpreter “only interpreted what I was asked and my answer so whatever else was said I don’t know.” The judge found Cole and Nass guilty of “homosexual acts”. |
| “I phoned my family the next day and said, ‘It’s four months. They said, ‘We know. We cried all night over it.” Cole’s family had to fly home the following day and launched a campaign for his release, while he was still coming to terms with the sentence. | “I phoned my family the next day and said, ‘It’s four months. They said, ‘We know. We cried all night over it.” Cole’s family had to fly home the following day and launched a campaign for his release, while he was still coming to terms with the sentence. |
| “That night I just cried,” he says. “I began to think, ‘I’m going to lose my mind.’” He felt increasingly isolated, unable to speak to most of his cellmates or see Nass. | “That night I just cried,” he says. “I began to think, ‘I’m going to lose my mind.’” He felt increasingly isolated, unable to speak to most of his cellmates or see Nass. |
| But on 7 October Cole was told, suddenly, he was to be released on health grounds (he had previously suffered a stroke and heart problems). “I was so mightily relieved,” he says. But Nass remained incarcerated, leaving Cole “very upset”. | But on 7 October Cole was told, suddenly, he was to be released on health grounds (he had previously suffered a stroke and heart problems). “I was so mightily relieved,” he says. But Nass remained incarcerated, leaving Cole “very upset”. |
| Cole boarded a plane to Gatwick and found his family waiting. “I can’t tell you how I felt …” he says. “Just so happy. I can’t imagine how worried they must have been. Margaret suffered very much.” Cole told friends and family he was gay in 2000, after his children had left home. He and his wife separated but remained “best friends”. | Cole boarded a plane to Gatwick and found his family waiting. “I can’t tell you how I felt …” he says. “Just so happy. I can’t imagine how worried they must have been. Margaret suffered very much.” Cole told friends and family he was gay in 2000, after his children had left home. He and his wife separated but remained “best friends”. |
| Two days after Cole’s release Nass was let out pending appeal. But his partner remains fearful. “If we’re not careful his life there is ruined.” Cole plans to help Nass seek asylum in Britain, to keep the student safe and secure a future together – even though it would “break his heart to leave” his family in Morocco. | Two days after Cole’s release Nass was let out pending appeal. But his partner remains fearful. “If we’re not careful his life there is ruined.” Cole plans to help Nass seek asylum in Britain, to keep the student safe and secure a future together – even though it would “break his heart to leave” his family in Morocco. |
| “Meeting Jamal has been the best thing that’s happened to me in years – even though I ended up going to hell for him I’d go back to hell for him. I’ve discussed the age difference; he says he doesn’t think about it and nor do I. The only problem is in other people’s minds.” | “Meeting Jamal has been the best thing that’s happened to me in years – even though I ended up going to hell for him I’d go back to hell for him. I’ve discussed the age difference; he says he doesn’t think about it and nor do I. The only problem is in other people’s minds.” |
| Cole admitted he had not been able to return to normality since arriving home. “I have no energy – overwhelming tiredness. I’ve been dogged by nightmares, flashbacks, and a sense of anger growing daily. I don’t understand how Morocco can think it can have a tourist industry if they’re going to treat people like they treated me. | Cole admitted he had not been able to return to normality since arriving home. “I have no energy – overwhelming tiredness. I’ve been dogged by nightmares, flashbacks, and a sense of anger growing daily. I don’t understand how Morocco can think it can have a tourist industry if they’re going to treat people like they treated me. |
| “I was treated in a way you wouldn’t treat a dog. Nobody is safe [there]. If you take your phone to Morocco – gay or straight – and you’ve got something on there you could be in deep trouble.” | “I was treated in a way you wouldn’t treat a dog. Nobody is safe [there]. If you take your phone to Morocco – gay or straight – and you’ve got something on there you could be in deep trouble.” |
| He sighs, his eyes glistening again. “I’m just living day to day at the moment, trying to get my life back on track.” | He sighs, his eyes glistening again. “I’m just living day to day at the moment, trying to get my life back on track.” |
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