Morocco has summoned the French ambassador to Rabat in protest at a French court ruling over allegations of complicity in torture against Moroccan intelligence chief.

Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued on Saturday that it “categorically rejects” such baseless legal cases.

Such moves undermine the mutual confidence and respect between the two countries, the statement added.

The former French colony also demanded that France present urgent and accurate clarifications on what it calls an unacceptable incident.

“It is a serious and unprecedented incident regarding the relationship between the two countries which could affect the climate of confidence and mutual respect between Morocco and France,” said the statement.

The lawsuit against Morocco’s intelligence chief, Abdellatif Hammouchi, was filed by Moroccan activists in France.

They accuse the intelligence chief for complicity in torture. The activists say they were tortured while in detention in Morocco.

Earlier this week, French police came to the Moroccan ambassador’s residence in Paris, asking about Hammouchi, who was in the French capital for a conference.

The French Foreign Ministry has responded to the police incident saying it had launched an investigation but it did not give any details regarding the probe.

Morocco, one of France’s main allies, has long been criticized by human rights groups over issues of police abuses, press freedom and judicial independence.

In 2009, Mohammed VI, the current King of Morocco, promised to introduce reforms in the judicial system.

In November 2011, the Justice and Development Party won elections and pledged judicial reforms. However, no reforms have been introduced so far.