Legal Action Against Fes Vice Mayor and His Son
The Ordinary Criminal Chamber at the Fes Court has rendered its verdict against a city vice mayor affiliated with the Socialist Union Party and his son, sentencing them to three months in prison with a suspended execution, along with a monetary fine of 500 Dirhams each. This ruling comes after both were found guilty of false reporting.
The case stems from a complaint lodged by a professional journalist who faced accusations from the defendants. Initially, the vice mayor had filed a prior complaint against the journalist, alleging extortion without providing any substantial evidence to support his claims. Following a thorough technical examination of the journalist's mobile device, conducted by the police's scientific and technical laboratory, the investigation concluded that there were no corroborating evidence or witnesses. This lack of evidence led the public prosecution to dismiss the case due to insufficient grounds.
In response to the dismissal, the journalist proceeded to file a direct lawsuit against the vice mayor and his son for false reporting. She asserted in her defense that the accusations of extortion were aimed at silencing her and deterring her from fulfilling her professional duties. The journalist emphasized that these baseless allegations significantly tarnished her professional reputation and caused her and her family considerable emotional distress.
The court also ordered the defendants to pay civil damages amounting to 10,000 Dirhams to the journalist, who is recognized as the civil party in this case. Additionally, a minimum imprisonment order was issued against the vice mayor's son, while the vice mayor himself was exempted from such a penalty. The court’s decision was delivered in the presence of the complainant but was rendered in absentia for the accused.
As reported by barlamane.com.
