Agadir man arrested for Facebook death threats against Moroccan PM
Estimated read time: 1'
Following a complaint lodged by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, a young man was arrested in Agadir on charges of making death threats, defamation, and inciting violence.
These charges relate to posts he published on Facebook. Media sources indicate that the detained individual had posted direct threats and incitement in both Arabic and Amazigh on his Facebook account, reportedly reacting to the prevailing rise in prices across Morocco.
The competent public prosecutor's office has ordered his provisional detention as part of an ongoing investigation into the full circumstances and context of the controversial posts.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
2 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Algerian historian Mohamed Amine Belghit faces seven year sentence
In Algeria, the trial of historian Mohamed Amine Belghit is nearing its conclusion. On Thursday, June 26, the prosecution requested a seven-year prison sentence and a fine of 700,000 dinars (approximately €4,616), according to an Algerian media outlet. Belghit, who has been in custody since May 3, faces charges of «undermining national unity», «inciting hatred», and «using information technology for propaganda that undermines human dignity». These charges are linked to an interview he gave to a media outlet in the United Arab Emirates, in which he claimed the Amazigh movement was a «creation of French and Zionist intelligence services». The public prosecutor deemed these remarks contrary to constitutional values concerning national unity, state sovereignty, and social cohesion, according to a statement issued on May 3. It is worth noting that Algerian authorities have previously accused Morocco, France, and Israel of «financially and militarily supporting» separatist claims in Kabylia.
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
Palestinian refugee and Gaza doctor stories rejected from Arabic exam in Morocco
The Regional Directorate of the Ministry of National Education in Al Fida–Mers Sultan district in Casablanca has rejected two texts intended for the sixth-grade Arabic language exam scheduled for June 2025. Both texts addressed the suffering of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. The first text tells the story of a Palestinian refugee dreaming of returning to his homeland, while the second recounts the experience of a Palestinian doctor who, against all odds, continued to provide medical aid to his besieged people in Gaza. The directorate justified its decision by stating that the proposed texts «touched on politically sensitive national issues» and requested that the Arabic language exam topic be «replaced with something more appropriate». This decision sparked a wave of controversy on social media and drew attention in parliament. Abdessamad Haiker, a MP from the Justice and Development Party (PJD), submitted a written question to the Minister of National Education, Primary Education, and Sports. He emphasized that «the resilience of the Palestinian people in facing occupation and their right to return to their homeland are legitimate rights guaranteed by international law and various relevant international resolutions. These rights have never been a matter of debate or disagreement among Moroccans of different backgrounds». Haiker added, «Moroccans have historically been at the forefront of supporting the Palestinian people and defending their historic and legitimate rights, including the right to return to Palestine. This issue has always been deeply rooted in the Moroccan conscience and has never been a source of sensitivity». He described the directorate's actions as a blatant provocation to the feelings of Moroccans and a direct affront to their national values—chief among them the Palestinian cause, which «His Majesty the King equates with the territorial integrity of the kingdom». Haiker called on the Minister of National Education and Primary Education to clarify the details of this decision and outline the measures his ministry will take to address this offensive incident and prevent its recurrence. Meanwhile, the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Against Normalization issued a statement condemning the move, declaring that «the censored text, prepared in full compliance with the exam procedures manual and the framework for the primary education certificate exam, was unlawfully rejected». The Front strongly denounced «the actions of the Al Fida-Mers Sultan Regional Directorate», calling them «an act of educational normalization, the most dangerous form of normalization with the Zionist entity». The Front affirmed that this incident is «not isolated but part of the Moroccan regime's ongoing comprehensive normalization with the criminal Zionist entity». They demanded «a fair and independent investigation into the matter and that those responsible for this blatant betrayal be held accountable».
Ya Biladi
19-06-2025
- Ya Biladi
Internet tops as news source in Morocco, but trust remains low
The Digital News Report 2025, published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, highlights notable changes in Morocco's media landscape. After years of criticism over limited press freedom and state control of media outlets, some positive signs are beginning to emerge. In recent months, Morocco has seen the release of detained and exiled journalists, along with the rise of new independent voices on digital platforms. These developments offer a glimmer of hope for a freer and more open media environment. However, this progress is unfolding in a digital ecosystem where trust remains fragile, and recent regulatory reforms have drawn mixed reactions. The report also points to a sharp increase in content production. In August 2024 alone, over 136,000 articles were published, most of them online, representing a 23.7% year-on-year increase. This surge spans multiple languages, reflecting growing momentum as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Digital Platforms Dominate News Consumption The internet has become the primary source of news for most Moroccans, with 78% of respondents saying they rely on it. Social media and messaging apps play a central role in this shift. YouTube is now the most-used news source (49%), followed by Facebook (47%), Instagram (32%), and TikTok (24%). WhatsApp groups are also widely used for news sharing (30%), alongside Telegram, which is gaining ground. Yet this shift to digital has brought new challenges, chief among them, the spread of misinformation. More than half of respondents (54%) say they struggle to tell real news from fake online. Digital influencers are seen as the main culprits (52%), followed by local politicians (30%). Social platforms and video apps have fueled the rise of a new generation of content creators who are reshaping how news is produced and consumed, particularly among young people. YouTube, in particular, has become a hub for bloggers, political commentators, and influencers, some of whom test the limits of acceptable discourse in Moroccan public life. Despite the growth in digital engagement, trust in news remains low in Morocco, among the lowest globally. According to the report, only 28% of respondents said they trust the news. Many cite a lack of media independence and the tendency of outlets to avoid sensitive issues or echo official government positions.
