Citizen journalist, Al-Ablaq Rabie is continued for publishing “videos criticizing social disparities and corruption”.
Le Monde with AFP
A Moroccan activist, Rabie Al-Ablaq, was sentenced on Monday, April 25 to four years in prison for “offense” to King Mohammed VI on social networks, were he learned from his defense. “The Court of First Instance of Al-Hoceima [North] sentenced Rabie al-Ablaq to four years in prison for offense against the person of the king electronically,” said AFP his lawyer Abdelmajid Azaryah.
This 35-year-old citizen journalist will also have a fine of 20,000 dirhams (some 1,900 euros). His lawyer announced his intention to appeal. Al-Ablaq appeared to be free before the Al-Hoceima court where his trial was opened on April 11th.
on Facebook and YouTube
The accused was continued for publishing “videos criticizing social disparities and corruption”, according to his lawyer. “I was shocked by this verdict because it [Mr. Al Ablaq] did only express his opinion. I think he did not affect the [Royal] institution.” “
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the charged with two videos, published on Facebook and YouTube in September and November 2021, in which Mr. Al-Ablaq “addressed to the king in a familiar tone and emphasized The contrast between its personal richness and widespread poverty in Morocco “.
“penalize the peaceful criticism of the insurers of power is a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression,” said the human rights NGO in a recent communiqué, calling for the abandonment of prosecutions against the activist.
In 2018, Rabie Al-Ablaq had been incarcerated and sentenced to five years in prison for his participation in the movement of protest that agreed in 2016-17 the Moroccan Rif region (North) before being pardoned by the king in 2020.
Another Moroccan human rights activist, Saïda El-Alami, 48, who regularly posted critical publications against the authorities on social networks, was arrested on March 23 and continued for “contempt of public officials in the performance of their duties “,” violation of justice “and” dissemination of false allegations “. The verdict is expected on Friday.