Moroccan Activist Sentenced for Social Media Incitement
On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the primary court in Marrakech sentenced activist Mourad Habal, a member of the "Generation Z" movement, to four months in prison along with a fine of 1,000 dirhams. He was charged with incitement to commit crimes or misdemeanors through social media platforms.
Habal, who is also involved with the ultras of the Marrakech sports club, faced prosecution based on Article 299-1 of the Moroccan Penal Code, which deals with "inciting the commission of a crime or misdemeanor using an electronic means that fulfills the public nature requirement." This ruling comes amidst growing concerns about freedom of expression in the digital age, particularly regarding the treatment of individuals expressing dissent online.
Earlier this month, the Marrakech branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights expressed outrage over Habal's arrest in the Sidi Youssef Ben Ali area of Marrakech. In a previous statement, the association condemned the use of preventive detention in cases related to digital expression, describing it as a severe violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and a breach of the spirit of the Moroccan Constitution. They called for an immediate halt to the prosecution of Habal and similar cases, highlighting the importance of protecting free speech and the rights of individuals to express their opinions without fear of retribution.
As reported by achkayen.com.
