Gang rape near Marrakech : Light sentences spark plans for appeal
Following the childbirth of the 13-year-old victim, a DNA test identified one of the accused, a 74-year-old man, as the biological father. Based on Articles 471, 475-2, and 485 of the Penal Code, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for these offenses, in addition to an attempted bribery charge involving a gendarme.
The second accused received a ten-year sentence under Articles 471, 475-2, 485, and 488 for rape resulting in the victim's loss of virginity. The third defendant was sentenced to six years based on Articles 471, 475-2, and 485.
The court also ordered the three men to pay the victim 100,000 dirhams in damages. Additionally, a symbolic one-dirham compensation was awarded to the Marrakech-Menara branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), which joined the case as a civil party, supporting the victim's father with legal representation from 18 lawyers.
Following the verdict, the NGO confirmed to Yabiladi that the civil party intends to appeal, arguing that the sentences handed down are too lenient compared to the minimum penalties prescribed by the applicable Penal Code articles. Another legal procedure will be initiated to establish the paternity of the child, given that DNA test results confirmed a 99.9999% match with the accused.
Lenient sentences for crimes punishable by up to 20 years
Omar Arbib, president of AMDH's local branch, criticized the verdict, calling it both «lenient » toward the perpetrators—despite the repeated nature of the assault—and «unjust » toward the victim.
«This ruling fails to meet the standards of justice and fairness, which are essential for true reparation. The sentences are far from exemplary and fail to serve as a deterrent, despite the severity of the crimes. They do not even align with the penal code, which prescribes sentences of 20 years or more in cases involving aggravating circumstances».
Omar Arbib
After exposing the case and the victim's childbirth, the AMDH branch in El Attaouia raised concerns over the growing normalization of «rape, sexual exploitation of children, pedophilia, and child abuse » in Morocco.
While commending the legal team representing the civil party, Saïd Fadili, president of the AMDH branch, condemned the verdict as «disproportionately light, lacking any real deterrent effect, and failing to reflect the severity of the crime ». He emphasized that the association had pushed for the maximum penalties, which could have reached 30 years in prison under the penal code.
The association reiterated its call for «zero tolerance » for crimes involving rape, pedophilia, and the sexual exploitation of children, stressing the need for tougher sentences—especially given the similarities between this case and the Tiflet gang rape trial, where sentences were increased on appeal.
Calls for harsher sentences and stronger child protection laws
For the NGOs supporting the civil party, this trial is an opportunity to advocate for stronger enforcement of the principle of the best interests of the child—both for the 13-year-old victim and her newborn. This aligns with Articles 6, 7, and 8 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Morocco has ratified. These provisions guarantee a child's right to protection, identity, and the ability to know their parents.
« We will also advocate for these provisions to be included in the ongoing reform of the Family Code, ensuring that paternity recognition is explicitly mandated in law, despite opposition from groups resisting universal human rights », stated Omar Arbib.
The NGO Don't Touch My Child « Matkich Weldi » described the first-instance ruling as « a step forward» but still «insufficient given the gravity of the case». Najat Anwar, the organization's president and legal representative in the case, reiterated calls for harsher penalties for sexual crimes against children. She also praised the role of human rights organizations, particularly AMDH, in ensuring the case received public attention.
Additionally, the NGO renewed its appeal for «enhanced child protection mechanisms, particularly for those in vulnerable situations», alongside a «strong and exemplary judicial response against perpetrators to eliminate all forms of impunity».
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
12 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Somali authorities reassure families as 6 Moroccans await repatriation after acquittal
Following recent statements from the families of Moroccan nationals who were sentenced to death and later acquitted for joining ISIS, Somali authorities have moved to reassure them about the possibility of their return to Morocco. «Officials visited us at the Garoowe detention center. They assured us that we've been cleared by the justice system. Essentially, we could be repatriated at any moment, once the Moroccan side provides documents verifying our identities», said one of the individuals involved in a voice message sent Tuesday through his family. The six Moroccan nationals had their passports confiscated while in ISIS-controlled territory. After receiving death sentences from a Puntland military court at first instance, they were later acquitted on appeal. They have since been transferred to the administration under the Somali Ministry of Justice to facilitate their repatriation. A previous repatriation attempt reportedly failed due to insufficient identity documentation. According to one detainee, Somali officials said the group could be repatriated «unconditionally, even within 24 hours, or transferred to an international organization», as long as identity documents are supplied. In Morocco, the families of the detainees have submitted letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the National Human Rights Council (CNDH). In Spain, relatives of Ahmed N., one of the six men, told Yabiladi they had contacted the Moroccan consulate in Seville, which has since forwarded the request to Rabat and is awaiting further updates.
Ya Biladi
6 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Lured into ISIS territory, acquitted Moroccans remain stuck in Somalia
Ahmed N. lives in Spain with his entire Moroccan family, his father, brothers, and sisters. But everything changed when he embarked on a trip to Turkey and ended up following a group of individuals who promised him a well-paying job. As the journey progressed, he realized he was getting pulled into something much harder to escape. Eventually, he found himself in Somalia, in the hands of ISIS. «We had all built our lives in Spain», his sister Najat told Yabiladi. «At one point, he wanted to return to Morocco to invest, but the challenges he faced pushed him to come back here. Then he went to Turkey, met people who promised to help him. He had no idea he'd end up in an area controlled by terrorist groups in Somalia». Since last year, Najat has been fighting to get her brother out of prison. Initially, the military court in Puntland sentenced him and five other Moroccan nationals to death for allegedly joining ISIS in Somalia. According to the initial judgment, the six had joined a base in the Cal-Miskaat Mountains in northeastern Somalia. Documents presented in court and reviewed by Yabiladi show that some of the Moroccan nationals arrived in Somalia after passing through Turkey and Ethiopia. At Cal Miskaat, they were said to have received training in ISIS camps, learning to handle light weapons like the AK-47. However, they eventually tried to abandon the process and escape from the group. Ahmed, who traveled from Spain via Turkey, was reportedly not involved in any military training, according to his family. His relatives and the court maintain that he was «misled into believing he could invest in agriculture» in Somalia. Once he realized he was in an ISIS-controlled zone, he found himself unable to turn back. «He reached out to the Red Crescent and local authorities on his own, and was handed over to the army. He wasn't captured during a confrontation, he surrendered voluntarily. He never considered himself part of ISIS; in fact, he saw himself as a deserter once he understood the terrorist nature of the project», Najat told us. In March 2024, several Moroccan NGOs denounced the initial verdict. Among them were the Moroccan Coalition Against the Death Penalty (CMCPM), the Association for a Fair Trial, and the Network of Lawyers Against the Death Penalty. They called on Moroccan authorities to intervene and ensure the repatriation of the six nationals. On appeal, the defense presented evidence supporting their claims, including the absence of confessions and the fact that they had tried to flee ISIS. The court took these elements into account under the provisions of the Somali Penal Code. To Ahmed's supporters, «the evidence showed that these men were victims of human trafficking». «They were lured to Somalia with promises of good jobs. Once they realized ISIS wanted to recruit them, they ran and voluntarily turned themselves in to the Puntland State police, a clear sign they rejected the group», sources close to the case told Yabiladi. In May, the Puntland military appeals court overturned the death sentences and declared all six men not guilty. The court also acknowledged that «these individuals were misled and trafficked» and, more importantly, that «they surrendered voluntarily to authorities». When they turned themselves in, they were «unarmed and there was no indication they had ever taken part in any terrorist activity… rather, they sought protection», the same sources added. The court ordered their release and initiated procedures for their return home. They were handed over to the Constitutional Affairs Administration under Somalia's Ministry of Justice to facilitate their repatriation to Morocco. «Ahmed even told us that they were in the process of being repatriated, but apparently things got held up because of inaccurate information about one of the five other Moroccans», Najat said. A Complicated Repatriation While in detention, the six men were visited by a delegation from the Puntland Parliament. During a meeting at the Garoowe prison, lawmakers were briefed on the status of detainees charged with serious crimes. Despite being cleared by the appeals court, the six men remain in «administrative detention for security reasons». According to Yabiladi's sources, «their situation is still unresolved due to a lack of diplomatic or humanitarian coordination». «Even with the court's decision, repatriation remains stalled because of logistical and political challenges. All six had their passports and ID documents confiscated by ISIS, leaving them without any valid paperwork for travel», the sources said. The political landscape in Somalia further complicates matters. The case falls under the jurisdiction of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region with its own legal and security systems, operating independently since 1998. Tensions between Puntland and the federal government in Mogadishu have made coordination with foreign embassies difficult. Moreover, «Morocco does not have a diplomatic presence in Puntland», which adds another layer of complexity, the same sources said. Back in Morocco, the families of the other detainees have reached out to various authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the National Human Rights Council (CNDH). In Spain, Ahmed's family is represented by Guillermo Santana, a lawyer with the Seville Bar Association, who is also advocating on the case. Speaking to Yabiladi, Santana explained that «numerous letters have been exchanged with Moroccan authorities, including consular services in the Spanish region, in an effort to secure repatriation». «We've received a positive response from the Moroccan side, which forwarded our requests to Rabat. We're hopeful that they will follow through», he said. However, repatriation may not mean full exoneration. Once back in Morocco, the six nationals could face investigations due to their presence in a conflict zone controlled by a terrorist group. In the meantime, their families continue to worry about the poor detention conditions, «scarce food and constant psychological pressure», and are hoping above all for the safe return of their loved ones.
Maroc
7 days ago
- Maroc
Adoption of Criminal Procedure Code Reform, Major Step in Justice Modernization
The Moroccan Parliament has definitively adopted the bill reforming the Code of Criminal Procedure, marking a decisive step in the ongoing process of modernizing criminal justice and strengthening the rule of law, the Ministry of Justice stated. The result of a legislative process marked by extensive consultations and institutional debates, this bill is part of a broader reform vision led by the Ministry of Justice, aiming to enhance fair trial guarantees, promote the rights of the defense, and modernize the tools of criminal procedure, the Ministry said in a press release. The bill introduces major advancements, notably the broader use of alternatives to pre-trial detention, the strengthening of judicial oversight measures, enhanced protection of victims and witnesses, as well as the integration of digital technologies into legal procedures and the enshrinement of the principles of promptness and efficiency in handling criminal cases. "The definitive adoption of this fundamental text reflects the Kingdom's firm commitment to building a modern, accessible justice system that respects fundamental rights,' adding that this represents 'a key milestone in our comprehensive strategy to reform the judicial system, alongside the Penal Code and the law on alternative sentencing," said Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi as quoted in the release. In this regard, the Ministry of Justice welcomed the constructive involvement of all institutional actors, legal professionals, and civil society organizations who contributed to enriching the bill. The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to support the implementation of the reform through training, awareness campaigns, and capacity building, in accordance with the principles of transparency, legal security, and equity. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives approved, in a second reading and by majority vote, Bill No. 03.23 amending and supplementing Law No. 22.01 on the Code of Criminal Procedure. (MAP: 22 July 2025)
