YouTuber “Weld Chinwia” Sentenced to Three Years in Prison on Multiple Charges

The Criminal Chamber of the Ain Sebaa Court of First Instance in Casablanca sentenced YouTuber Reda Bouzidi, known as “Weld Chinwia,” to three years imprisonment early on Tuesday.
The public prosecutor had charged Weld Chinwia with threats of committing acts of violence, spreading and distributing false claims intended to harm individuals’ private lives and defame them, and insulting public officials performing their duties.
The case escalated after the Prosecutor General at the Casablanca Court of Appeal ordered Weld Chinwia’s detention following a series of complaints.
He was also interrogated by the National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) in mid-September about his alleged involvement in human trafficking.
Weld Chinwia now also faces several other serious accusations, including human trafficking, incitement to prostitution, public indecency, insults and defamation, and violating individuals’ privacy.
The BNPJ questioned the suspect about leaked audio recordings attributed to him, allegedly containing conversations inciting prostitution and related to human trafficking.
This highly publicized case gained traction after the Moroccan League for Citizenship and Human Rights (LMCDH) filed a formal complaint against Weld Chinwia, accusing him of those charges. The complaint included widely circulated audio recordings that allegedly capture phone conversations involving the YouTuber inciting illegal activities.
In addition to this, the Association of Young Lawyers of Casablanca lodged a separate complaint against Weld Chinwia after he posted a video attacking the legal profession, referring to lawyers as “fraudsters.”
The association issued a statement condemning his remarks as a serious affront to the dignity of the legal profession and calling for stringent legal measures to address his behavior.
The controversy surrounding Weld Chinwia has sparked significant debate on social media, with many users discussing the boundaries of free expression and the accountability of public figures. His case also highlights broader concerns about digital platforms being used to spread harmful content or incite unlawful activities.
While the verdict signals the judiciary’s commitment to addressing these issues, it also underscores the growing scrutiny over how influential digital personalities use their platforms, especially when their actions may have far-reaching societal consequences.