A prominent Moroccan activist, Said Ait Mahdi, was sentenced at Marrakech’s first instance court to three months in prison and fined over MAD 10,000 for defamation, and cleared of three others, on Monday, sparking condemnation from human rights advocates who called the ruling “arbitrary and politically motivated.”
The 32-year-old president of an activist group in the earthquake-stricken Al Haouz region faced charges of defamation, assaults and inciting unauthorized protests after leading demonstrations criticizing the government’s response to the devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake in September 2023.
The earthquake, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives and destroyed homes, schools, and health centers, left many in the region struggling in temporary shelters.
Ait Mahdi’s conviction marks the first such sentence for a regional activist, although protests have erupted in several towns, with multiple demonstrators accusing officials of “mismanaging recovery efforts.”
Despite fears of a harsher punishment, Ait Mahdi’s Attorney, Isaac Charia, noted that similar charges often result in a year-long sentence. Three other activists arrested alongside him were acquitted.
Human Rights Groups Condemn Sentence
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights criticized Ait Mahdi’s arrest, calling it “retaliation for his activism.” A coalition of NGOs and left-wing political parties similarly condemned the charges as an attempt to “conceal serious violations stemming from the government’s flawed earthquake response,” the same source highlighted.
The defense coalition called for Ait Mahdi’s immediate release, decrying what they termed “repressive tactics against activists.”
The earthquake exposed deep-seated regional inequalities, particularly in areas home to Morocco’s Indigenous minority groups. These regions, already lacking infrastructure comparable to the country’s coastal cities, saw over 60,000 homes and 585 schools damaged, according to government estimates. The Moroccan government pledged USD 11.5 billion for recovery and reconstruction over five years, but locals have noted delays that fueled their frustration.
Protests in the Capital and Beyond
Activist groups have continued to stage demonstrations, not only in towns near the epicenter, such as Amizmiz and Talaat N’Yaacoub, but also in larger cities. Last month, the Civil Coalition of the Mountain organized a protest outside Morocco’s parliament in Rabat, highlighting the slow pace of reconstruction. The coalition described Ait Mahdi as “the voice of the oppressed and earthquake victims.”
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Marrakech court during Ait Mahdi’s trial, holding his portrait and demanding his release.
Activists argue that the government’s failure to deliver timely aid and rebuild essential infrastructure has left the region’s most vulnerable residents behind, further deepening their plight. The sentencing of Ait Mahdi has only intensified calls for accountability and faster recovery efforts in the earthquake-affected areas.