18 Young Protesters Face Sentencing in Morocco
The Moroccan judiciary has recently sentenced 18 young individuals who participated in the GenZ 212 protests in Casablanca. These demonstrations were marked by actions that led to significant disruptions, including the blocking of traffic on a major urban highway. The sentences imposed ranged from one year of probation to ten months in jail, highlighting the serious repercussions faced by those involved in the protests.
According to the defense attorneys, the initial ruling from the criminal chamber of the Casablanca Appeal Court resulted in thirteen individuals receiving eight-month prison sentences. Additionally, two other young men were sentenced to one year, with ten months mandatory, while three defendants who were tried while free received a one-year suspended sentence. This legal outcome has sparked discussions about the nature of justice and the treatment of young activists in Morocco.
Release of Thirteen Protesters
Following their sentencing, the thirteen individuals who received eight-month prison terms were released, having already served their time in provisional detention. The prosecution accused them of causing "obstruction to traffic" on Casablanca's urban highway, an act that led to a complete standstill of road traffic at the end of September.
The GenZ 212 collective, which mobilized thousands of youth across Morocco, was advocating for reforms in critical sectors such as health and education, as well as a more vigorous fight against corruption. The protests took place almost daily for several weeks but gradually lost momentum after King Mohammed VI's speech urging for accelerated social reforms and the announcement of new budgetary measures for health and education in 2026.
In this ongoing case, six minors are expected to appear before the court on June 19. The GenZ 212 demonstrations have also been overshadowed by violence in some areas, notably near Agadir, where three fatalities were reported, raising concerns over the state of public safety during these protests.
As reported by africaradio.com.
