Said Ait Mahdi, a Moroccan activist, was sentenced to three months in prison for defamation after criticizing the government’s response to the El Haouz earthquake. His legal team plans to appeal the ruling. The earthquake in September 2023 resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and significant destruction, with ongoing reconstruction efforts reported by authorities.
A Moroccan activist who criticized the government’s response to the 2023 El Haouz earthquake has been sentenced to three months in prison for defamation, as confirmed by his legal representatives. Said Ait Mahdi, the head of a group advocating for victims, has been in custody since December 23 and was charged with offenses including defamation and insult. Three additional members of his group faced similar charges but were acquitted by the Marrakesh Court of First Instance. Ait Mahdi was also instructed to pay damages of 10,000 dirhams, approximately $1,000, to each civil complainant. His attorney plans to appeal this ruling. The accusations arose from complaints made by local officials regarding remarks made by Ait Mahdi on social media.
In September 2023, a devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck El Haouz province, south of Marrakesh, resulting in nearly 3,000 fatalities and injuring over 5,600 individuals. Approximately 60,000 homes were destroyed, displacing many families who were left to endure severe winter conditions in tents. In response to the disaster, Ait Mahdi’s advocacy group has been campaigning for expedited reconstruction and enhanced support for those affected. Moroccan authorities reported that as of December, they had issued 57,000 reconstruction permits, leading to over 35,000 homes either rebuilt or in construction as part of a five-year plan allocating $11 billion for recovery efforts across the six most impacted provinces.
The sentencing of Said Ait Mahdi highlights the tensions surrounding governmental accountability in disaster response in Morocco. His imprisonment for criticizing the state’s actions following the El Haouz earthquake raises significant questions about freedom of speech and the rights of activists in the region. The ongoing efforts related to reconstruction reveal both progress and challenges in addressing the needs of affected communities.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
