Moroccan Court Escalates Sentence for Activist Over Earthquake Criticism
A Moroccan appeals court has raised activist Said Ait Mahdi’s prison sentence from three months to one year for defaming officials. Ait Mahdi criticized the government’s response to the 2023 earthquake, resulting in public outrage. The earthquake caused significant damage and loss of life in El Haouz province, with efforts underway to aid reconstruction and recovery.
A Moroccan court of appeals has increased activist Said Ait Mahdi’s prison sentence from three months to one year. His lawyer announced this decision on Tuesday, noting that Ait Mahdi has been in custody since December 23 for criticizing the government’s response to the devastating 2023 earthquake. In January, the Marrakesh court originally sentenced him for defamation and insulting officials, based on complaints about his social media statements.
The appeals court’s ruling was seen as severe, described by Ait Mahdi’s lawyer, Mohamed El Ghalloussi, as very harsh and shocking. Additionally, three other defendants who were initially acquitted have now been sentenced to four months each for having insulted public officials. This was also tied to allegations related to social media posts deemed offensive by local government representatives.
The earthquake, measuring 6.8 in magnitude, severely impacted El Haouz province, resulting in nearly 3,000 fatalities, 5,600 injuries, and the loss of about 60,000 homes. Many survivors are currently living in tents as they face winter conditions. Ait Mahdi’s organization is advocating for accelerated reconstruction and better assistance for those displaced by the disaster.
In response to the earthquake’s aftermath, the Moroccan government reported it has issued 57,000 reconstruction permits and is in the process of constructing over 35,000 homes. A comprehensive development plan worth $11 billion has also been allocated to support reconstruction efforts across the six provinces affected by the earthquake.
The Moroccan appeals court has significantly increased the sentence for activist Said Ait Mahdi due to his criticism of the government’s inadequate response to the 2023 earthquake. The decision reflects a broader crackdown on dissent, especially regarding the handling of post-disaster recovery in El Haouz province. Meanwhile, the government is undertaking large-scale reconstruction efforts, though many victims continue to face challenges in the aftermath of the disaster.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
