Severe Sentences for Three Brothers in Child Endangerment Case
On June 15, 2026, the criminal chamber of the first instance court in Benslimane delivered a verdict against three brothers who coerced a six-year-old child into consuming alcoholic beverages. The court imposed a total of nearly ten years of imprisonment on the defendants, with the main perpetrator receiving a four-year sentence, while the other two were sentenced to three and a half years and two and a half years respectively. This case first came to light at the end of May 2026 when a video circulated on social media, vividly depicting the disturbing scene where the minor was pressured to drink alcohol during a celebration in the rural community of Fdalat near Benslimane. A 17-year-old, who filmed the incident and posted it online, played a crucial role in bringing the matter to public attention.
The release of the video sparked widespread outrage across Moroccan society, prompting the public prosecutor to initiate a formal investigation on May 28, 2026. The Royal Gendarmerie quickly identified the offenders and apprehended them. In addition to the charges of violence against a minor under 15, the defendants were also accused of failing to provide assistance and intentional bodily harm. The proceedings were closely monitored by various child rights organizations, with the NGO 'Hands Off My Child' (Touche pas à mon enfant) acting as a civil party and receiving a symbolic compensation of one dirham from the civil court.
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) also weighed in on the case, calling for comprehensive psychological and legal support for the victim. Furthermore, the council warned against the repercussions of further digital dissemination of such content, stressing that it could severely violate the child's dignity and lead to re-traumatization.
This ruling underscores the Moroccan judiciary's commitment to rigorously prosecuting cases of severe child maltreatment that are documented and publicized through social networks. It remains unclear at this time whether the defendants will appeal the first-instance verdict.
As reported by maghreb-post.de.
