Fes Court's Landmark Decision in the Ait Jid Case
On October 22, 2026, the Court of Appeals in Fes reached a significant milestone in the long-standing judicial saga surrounding the murder of the leftist student Mohammed Benissia Ait Jid. The court announced the annulment of the initial ruling that had sentenced prominent Justice and Development Party leader Abdellah Hamid to three years of imprisonment. In a surprising turn of events, the court also decided to dismiss the public lawsuit against him, citing that the matter had already been adjudicated.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment in a legal journey that has spanned over three decades, originating from tragic events that unfolded in the city of Fes in 1993, leading to Ait Jid's death. The case has remained a focal point of public discourse due to its intricate legal, human rights, and political implications, inciting debates regarding the reopening of the case and the applicability of the principle of prior adjudication to the renewed prosecution.
The initial ruling by the primary criminal chamber of the Fes Court of Appeals in July 2023 had sentenced Hamid to three years in prison after reclassifying the charges against him to include participation in acts that resulted in death without intent. This legal action was initiated following a complaint lodged by a family member of the victim in 2017, which reignited the issue in the courts after years of legal developments.
As reported by alhakika24.com.
