Morocco : Agadir Court Hands Down Harsh Sentences to 17 Youths Over Protests
A total of 17 individuals have received severe prison sentences ranging from three to fifteen years from the Agadir Court of Appeal for “acts of violence” that took place in southern Morocco during the youth protest movement, local media reported on Wednesday.
According to media reports citing judicial sources, the defendants were convicted of “arson of vehicles belonging to others,” “destruction of public and private property,” and “obstructing public roads with barricades.” The same sources indicated that three of the defendants were sentenced to 15 years in prison, one to 12 years, nine to 10 years each, and the remaining defendants to terms ranging from three to five years.
The incidents reportedly occurred in Aït Amira, near Agadir. Since September 27, a collective of young Moroccans has been organizing peaceful gatherings across the country, calling for reforms in the health and education sectors, action against corruption, and the resignation of the Makhzen government.
