Moroccan Court Increases Activist’s Sentence Following Earthquake Criticism

A Moroccan appeals court has increased activist Said Ait Mahdi’s prison sentence to one year for defaming the government after his criticism of its response to the 2023 earthquake. Initially sentenced to three months, his case including three co-defendants now faces harsher penalties. The earthquake resulted in significant destruction and loss of life, and Ait Mahdi’s group continues to push for urgent aid and reconstruction efforts.

A Moroccan appeals court has increased the prison sentence of activist Said Ait Mahdi to one year, a significant rise from the initial three-month term he received for defamation. His lawyer reported the news on Tuesday. Ait Mahdi, who advocates for those affected by Morocco’s 2023 earthquake, has been imprisoned since December 23 for his critical remarks regarding the government’s response to the disaster.

In January, a Marrakesh court sentenced him to three months for defamation, insult, and dissemination of false information infringing on privacy. However, the appeals court in Marrakesh has intensified the punishment, a decision which lawyer Mohamed El Ghalloussi criticized as excessively harsh and surprising. Additionally, three co-defendants, previously acquitted, were each handed a four-month jail term for insulting public officials.

These legal actions arose from complaints by local officials about social media posts that they deemed offensive. The El Haouz province, severely impacted by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in September 2023, witnessed catastrophic damage resulting in nearly 3,000 fatalities, over 5,600 injuries, and significant destruction to approximately 60,000 homes. As a consequence, many families are enduring the harsh winter conditions in tents.

Ait Mahdi’s organization has been actively advocating for expedited reconstruction efforts and enhanced aid for those displaced. The Moroccan government announced in December that it had issued 57,000 reconstruction permits and reported that over 35,000 homes had either been built or were in the process of construction. Furthermore, authorities have allocated $11 billion toward a five-year reconstruction and development initiative covering the six affected regions.

In summary, the Moroccan judicial system has prolonged the imprisonment of activist Said Ait Mahdi due to his criticism of the government’s earthquake response, raising his sentence to one year. This decision follows a previous three-month ruling and highlights ongoing tensions between officials and advocates for victims. The government claims to be making progress in reconstruction efforts, yet many individuals remain displaced and in need of assistance.

Original Source: newscentral.africa