Morocco expels Swedish diplomat

RABAT, Morocco, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The Swedish ambassador to Morocco has been expelled for allegedly giving a government document to separatists, the African country's Foreign Ministry says.

Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri called Michael Odevald to his office Wednesday to protest what he called an "unacceptable, professional mistake," the ministry said.

Fihri claimed the Swedish Embassy breached diplomatic protocol by transmitting an official document to officials of Polisario, the ruling party of the exiled Western Sahara government, which is technically at war with Morocco.

The diplomatic dust-up came as a Sahrawi political prisoner in Morocco is being awarded a prestigious Swedish human rights prize, Afrol News reported.