Moroccan Court Increases Sentence for Activist Criticizing Earthquake Relief Efforts
A Moroccan court has increased activist Said Ait Mahdi’s prison sentence to one year, reversing earlier acquittals for three coalition members who insulted officials. This follows Mahdi’s criticism of the earthquake recovery efforts post the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in September 2023, which resulted in extensive casualties and destruction. The government has initiated reconstruction efforts with substantial financial aid and proper oversight to assist affected families.
A Moroccan court of appeal has recently increased the prison sentence of activist Said Ait Mahdi from three months to one year. Additionally, the court reversed the previous acquittal of three other members of the Al Haouz Earthquake Victims Coalition, now sentencing them to three months in prison for insulting public officials. This legal action follows the activist’s criticism of authorities’ response to the earthquake recovery efforts after the catastrophic 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Marrakech in September 2023.
Said Ait Mahdi, leading the advocacy group, was convicted for defamation and disseminating false allegations that breached privacy rights as he scrutinized local governance during recovery initiatives. The earthquake resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities, over 5,600 injuries, and left approximately 60,000 homes destroyed, notably in the High Atlas mountain region, prompting a strong outcry for enhanced support for survivors.
In response to the devastation, the Moroccan government has issued 57,000 reconstruction permits, with reports indicating that over 35,000 homes have been completed or are under reconstruction. Authorities have allocated roughly MAD 140,000 (about $14,000) per family for rebuilding homes, aiming to expedite recovery efforts despite emerging challenges, including cases of fraud affecting over 27 victims.
To efficiently manage the rehabilitation process, an inter-ministerial committee has been created, overseeing the reconstruction and support mechanisms. The government has significantly invested in the recovery, providing monthly financial aid to 63,766 families and committing over MAD 800 million (around $79.29 million) to enhance healthcare facilities within the impacted regions.
The Moroccan court’s decision to heighten the sentence of activist Said Ait Mahdi underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining control over public discourse following the Al Haouz earthquake. While significant efforts in reconstruction and rehabilitation are underway, challenges such as fraud and the necessity for transparent governance remain critical issues that must be resolved to ensure the effective recovery of affected communities.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
