Following the spread of news regarding "Moroccans in Myanmar," which captured much attention amidst stories of their kidnapping, a Moroccan YouTuber is reported missing after allegedly traveling to film what is known as the "Golden Triangle," where camps holding Moroccans are located. According to the Moroccan website "Hespress," the individual in question is Adam Tawfiq, known as "New Battouta." His father states that communication with him has been cut off for more than 11 days, while a companion who was with him during the trip confirmed that the last information received indicated he was headed towards Myanmar, specifically to the Golden Triangle area.
Tawfiq Hicham, the YouTuber's father, mentioned that the last contact he had with Adam was on May 23, when he was in Vietnam and informed him that he was heading to Laos. Since then, there has been no communication, and they have not received any signal indicating he is online, which is highly unusual. Adam's father expressed, "I know my son is not reckless, and he has never gone silent like this since traveling abroad, which I find very concerning."
Moroccan YouTuber Amjad Rami, who was with Adam before his disappearance, stated, "He was with me in Vietnam and expressed his desire to go to the 'Golden Triangle' area where the camps holding Moroccans are located." Rami emphasized the dangers of that area, mentioning that passports are confiscated for entry, which is very alarming, adding, "The fear is that he may have been detained there."
"Hespress" reported ongoing suffering of Moroccans in Myanmar, estimated to number between 150 and 200. Families claim that their children face various forms of torture in detention, while gangs demand as much as 100,000 dirhams (approximately $10,000) as ransom, digitally, to ensure the freedom of their offspring.
Last Sunday, a Moroccan coalition of over 20 NGOs sent an open letter to several ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, calling for urgent intervention to help free the kidnapped Moroccans in Myanmar. A group of Moroccan youths fell victim to fraudulent gangs that promised them lucrative jobs abroad, only to be kidnapped, held, and coerced into working in illegal activities on the border between Thailand and Myanmar, according to local sources.
