Moroccan Court Increases Prison Sentence for Activist Following Earthquake Criticism

A Moroccan court increased activist Said Ait Mahdi’s prison sentence to one year and imposed three months of imprisonment on three other coalition members for insulting officials. This follows their criticism of the local government’s earthquake response. The earthquake resulted in significant casualties and destruction, creating ongoing challenges in recovery and reconstruction efforts in the affected regions.

Rabat – A Moroccan court of appeal has revised the prison sentence for activist Said Ait Mahdi, increasing it to one year. Additionally, the court altered the sentences for three other members of the Al Haouz Earthquake Victims Coalition, previously acquitted, now sentenced to three months in prison for insulting public officials. This decision follows Ait Mahdi’s earlier three-month sentence and a financial penalty of MAD 10,000 ($1000) for each involved civil party.

Ait Mahdi faced charges of defamation and breach of privacy regarding his criticism of local government efforts in the aftermath of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Marrakech in September 2023. This earthquake caused significant destruction, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths, over 5,600 injuries, and the loss of around 60,000 homes, especially in the High Atlas region. Many survivors continue to reside in temporary accommodations.

Al Haouz province, near Marrakech, suffered the most extensive damage. Organizations led by activists like Ait Mahdi are advocating for urgent reconstruction and support for affected families. As of early December 2024, Moroccan authorities had issued 57,000 reconstruction permits, with reports mentioning over 35,000 homes either completed or in the rebuilding process.

The government has responded promptly by allocating approximately MAD 140,000 (approximately $14,000) per family for reconstruction efforts and establishing an inter-ministerial committee to oversee these processes. However, challenges have surfaced; in January, the Ministry of Interior reported that 27 individuals fell victim to fraud by construction contractors. Furthermore, 63,766 families have been receiving monthly financial assistance, and the government has allocated over MAD 800 million ($79.29 million) to enhance healthcare facilities in earthquake-affected regions.

The Moroccan court’s decision to increase the prison sentence for activist Said Ait Mahdi highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the government’s response to the devastating Al Haouz earthquake. While the state has allocated substantial resources for reconstruction and recovery, issues such as fraud and timely assistance remain concerns. Local organizations continue to advocate for the needs of affected families, underscoring the complexities involved in post-disaster recovery efforts.

Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com