Morocco demands the punishment of Norwegian diplomats who aided a Norwegian mother in smuggling her children out of Morocco.

According to Reuters last Tuesday and Norwegian press the Moroccan Foreign Minister Altayeb Alfasy said that the Norwegian Embassy gave itself the right and jurisdiction in a foreign country, in a particular instance, contrary to all rules and ethics, he also added that the Security Attache of the Embassy Stein Haugen played a special role in smuggling the two children from Morocco.

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry is currently investigating all facts after accusations were made of its involvement in this regard. Commenting on the accusations Ragnhild Imerslund the spokesperson for the Ministry said that Norway did not organize the plan that the mother made to smuggle her children out of Morocco, the accusations were made against a role played by the Embassy but this could not be commented on until all investigation of facts was complete and put on the table.

Norway is adamant on continuing communications with Moroccan officials through to solve the issue through diplomatic channels, while the Moroccan Foreign Minister stressed that Morocco would not accept less than the punishment of the diplomats for their involvement in the case.

According to the Minister the diplomats who were involved must be brought to trial, and this is the only response expected by the government of King Mohamed VI.