Six Minors Sentenced in Casablanca for Protest-Related Charges
In a recent ruling, a court in Casablanca has sentenced six minors to a six-month prison term for their involvement in obstructing traffic on a major highway during the GenZ212 protests that took place in the autumn of last year. The court's decision, announced on Friday evening, confirmed the minors' guilt in disrupting the flow of traffic during demonstrations organized by the GenZ212 collective, which advocated for significant reforms in the education and healthcare sectors while also calling for an end to rampant corruption in Morocco.
El Hassan Essonni, one of the defense attorneys, verified the ruling and noted that four of the detained minors would be released the same evening after serving their time in a juvenile detention facility. However, the fate of the remaining two minors, who had not been in pre-trial detention, remains uncertain as it is unclear if their sentences will be suspended or enforced. This ruling comes on the heels of a broader crackdown on protesters, as the prior week saw 18 adult individuals being sentenced for their roles in the same protests, receiving penalties that varied from suspended sentences to ten months of imprisonment.
The series of protests that led to these convictions occurred almost daily over a two-week period, with demonstrators blocking Casablanca's urban highway, causing significant traffic disruptions. The public prosecutor indicated that law enforcement officials arrested protesters in late September while they were actively obstructing traffic, which was brought to a complete halt. Following these protests, the government announced plans to increase budget allocations for health and education in its 2026 financial plan, responding to the public's demands for swifter social reforms following a royal address urging improvement in these crucial areas.
Despite the protests advocating for change, the events were also marred by violence, including clashes that resulted in three fatalities near Agadir, illustrating the tensions surrounding these societal demands. In total, over 2,400 individuals have faced prosecution connected to the demonstrations, with around 1,400 detained primarily for violent actions linked to the protests. This situation highlights the ongoing struggles within Moroccan society regarding political and social reforms.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
