In a significant legal development, Morocco has issued prison sentences to over a dozen individuals who were arrested during a wave of youth-led protests that took the nation by surprise in late September 2025. These protests, primarily driven by the Gen Z movement, sought comprehensive reforms in critical sectors such as public health care and education, reflecting the aspirations of a generation eager for change in a traditionally stable kingdom.
A Casablanca court handed down sentences to a total of 18 individuals, with 13 receiving eight-month prison terms. According to defense attorney Souad Brahma, these individuals were set to be released today after serving their time. In addition, two others were sentenced to one year, with 10 months to be served in prison. Furthermore, three defendants previously released pending their trial were given suspended sentences of 12 months.
In a related legal context, six minors are scheduled to appear in court on June 19, as confirmed by another lawyer, El Hassan Essonni. Among these minors, four are currently in pretrial detention, while two others have been released pending their trial. The scale of the legal repercussions stemming from the protests is substantial; over 2,400 individuals have faced prosecution, and by October of the previous year, more than 1,400 were already in detention, according to reports from the public prosecutor’s office.
In the early stages of the protests, which were initially banned, police conducted mass arrests, with two nights particularly marred by violence. The situation escalated in Agadir, resulting in the tragic deaths of three individuals during clashes. Despite these challenges, the protest organizers maintained their commitment to nonviolent demonstration, underscoring the complexity of the social and political landscape in Morocco.
As reported by arabnews.jp.
