Moroccan Activist Sentenced to One Year for Criticizing Earthquake Response
The Moroccan appeals court has increased activist Said Ait Mahdi’s prison sentence to one year for defamation after he criticized the government’s earthquake response. Initially sentenced to three months, Ait Mahdi has been detained since December 2023. Three other defendants received four-month sentences after social media remarks. The earthquake resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and left many homeless, prompting calls for better aid and reconstruction efforts.
A Moroccan appeals court has increased the prison sentence of activist Said Ait Mahdi to a year, up from a previously imposed three-month term for defamation, according to his attorney. Ait Mahdi, who advocates for earthquake victims in Morocco, has been in detention since December 23 following his criticism of the government’s response to the disaster. Initially sentenced in January by a Marrakesh court for various offenses, the appeals court modified this ruling, prompting condemnation from his legal counsel.
The appeals court in Marrakesh deemed the extended sentence as excessively severe, with lawyer Mohamed El Ghalloussi expressing shock at the decision. In addition to Ait Mahdi, three other individuals who were initially acquitted were handed four-month prison terms for insulting public officials, related to complaints resulting from social media posts deemed offensive by local authorities.
The region of El Haouz, severely impacted by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in September 2023, experienced significant devastation, resulting in nearly 3,000 fatalities and 5,600 injuries, along with the destruction of approximately 60,000 homes. Many affected families are currently enduring the harsh winter in makeshift tents due to the lack of adequate housing.
Ait Mahdi’s organization has called for expedited reconstruction efforts and increased assistance for displaced individuals. In response, the Moroccan government revealed that it had granted 57,000 reconstruction permits and that over 35,000 homes have been constructed or are underway, pledging $11 billion towards a comprehensive five-year reconstruction plan for the affected provinces.
The escalation of Said Ait Mahdi’s sentence underscores a concerning trend regarding the treatment of activists in Morocco, particularly those criticizing government actions in the wake of disaster. The harsh penalties imposed on him and his associates highlight the tensions between government authorities and advocates seeking accountability and aid for earthquake victims. The Moroccan government’s commitment to reconstruction remains critical as affected communities strive to recover from substantial losses.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
