In a significant legal development following nearly two months of hearings, the Casablanca Court of Appeal has reached a verdict concerning 18 major defendants involved in the "Gen Z" movement, which sparked notable protests on the urban highway in September 2025. The court's decision, delivered during an extensive session that extended into the early hours of June 12, 2026, brings clarity to the fates of these individuals, with two remaining incarcerated, three receiving suspended sentences, and the defense team indicating intentions to appeal the ruling.
The court's verdict is structured around the individual circumstances of each defendant. For the thirteen individuals who had been incarcerated, the judges imposed a one-year prison sentence, with eight months deemed as time already served during preventive detention. Consequently, these defendants were released immediately following the hearing. In contrast, two defendants received a one-year sentence, of which ten months are to be served, leaving them with approximately six weeks left in custody. Lastly, three defendants, who had been appearing in court under provisional release, were given a one-year sentence with a suspended term.
Background of the Case: 24 Arrests and a Divided Docket
The legal proceedings trace back to the events that transpired on September 28 and 29, 2025, when the "Gen Z" movement coordinated significant demonstrations on Casablanca's urban highway. Initially, 24 individuals were apprehended by the Casablanca judicial police. However, judicial authorities opted to divide the cases into two separate groups: the 18 adults whose trial has now concluded and six minors, whose cases are still under review in a parallel process.
Charges against the defendants were primarily based on Article 591 of the Moroccan Penal Code, which penalizes deliberate obstruction of public traffic, potentially leading to accidents or blockages, with prison sentences ranging from five to ten years. The defense team, led by attorney Oumaima Boujaera, has raised substantial legal arguments against the verdict, arguing that procedural violations occurred, constitutional rights were allegedly infringed, and the right to a fair trial was compromised.
Defense Challenges: Questioning the Evidence and the Defendants' Presence
Throughout the trial, the defense has vehemently contested the characterization of the alleged crime of obstructing public traffic. They argue that the legal definition of "public way" as stipulated in the Penal Code does not align with the actual locations where the demonstrators were situated. Furthermore, the defense asserts that there was no established intent to deliberately impede road traffic.
A key aspect of the defense's argument revolves around disputing the presence of the defendants on the highway during the protests. Attorney Boujaera pointed out that the evidence presented does not substantiate their claims of presence on the highway, stating, "The defendants consistently and coherently denied being on the highway. Additionally, no material evidence provided by the prosecution corroborates this presence." The defense referenced official police arrest reports, which indicated arrests occurred outside the highway on urban roads distinct from the main thoroughfare, particularly along Boulevard Mohammed VI and areas like Sidi Maârouf 1 and 2, and the Souk El Kriaâ.
In the aftermath of this ruling, the sentiment among the defense team is mixed. While the release of thirteen young individuals has brought relief to their families, there’s an acknowledgment that satisfaction remains incomplete, as the defense continues to contest the culpability of all accused based on what they regard as insufficient evidence. As this ruling represents a first-instance judgment, the possibility of an appeal is currently under consideration, and discussions with the defendants will determine the next steps in the coming days. Moreover, the legal team remains vigilant regarding the ongoing proceedings involving the six minors awaiting judgment.
As reported by medias24.com.
