Moroccan Court Imposes Sentence on Activist for Social Media Commentary
In a significant ruling, the Marrakech Court of First Instance sentenced activist Mourad Hebbal to four months in prison along with a fine of 1,000 dirhams. This decision was made on Wednesday following charges related to a Facebook post that allegedly incited criminal activity. The court found Hebbal guilty of "inciting the commission of a felony or misdemeanor through an electronic medium that meets the criteria of publicity" based on his comments regarding recent events in Ceuta.
Hebbal, who has been in custody at the Oudaya prison, was arrested on August 5 and appeared before the court on August 7, where he was held on remand pending trial. The charges against him fall under Article 299-1 of the Penal Code, which addresses electronic incitement. In response to his sentencing, the Moroccan Association for Human Rights issued a statement denouncing what they described as "methods of silencing voices and closing digital spaces." They emphasized that expressing opinions and writing in digital spaces should be protected under the freedom of expression, provided that they do not advocate violence, hatred, or racism.
The association criticized the use of pre-trial detention in cases involving digital expression, arguing that it raises serious concerns regarding the respect for free speech and the guarantees of a fair trial. They called for Hebbal's immediate release, highlighting the importance of safeguarding individual rights in the digital age.
As reported by m.alayam24.com.
