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An appeal court in Morocco has handed down a three-year prison sentence to Said Boukioud, 48, for his social media posts criticizing the normalization of ties with Israel and expressing dissent against King Mohammed VI. Originally sentenced to five years in August for Facebook posts made in late 2020, the court in Casablanca opted to reduce the sentence, according to Boukioud's defense attorney, El Hassan Essouni.
Essouni, speaking to AFP, revealed his intention to appeal the decision to the country's highest court, deeming the ruling "very excessive." He emphasized that his client never intended to insult the king but rather aimed to highlight concerns about the negative impacts of normalization on Moroccans, the Palestinian cause, and others.
The case underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the legal boundaries surrounding criticism of the monarchy and government policies. The initial five-year sentence and subsequent reduction raise questions about the extent to which dissent and online expression are tolerated in the North African nation.
Boukioud's defense contends that the punishment is disproportionate and underscores the challenges faced by those critical of government decisions, particularly on sensitive matters like diplomatic relations. The case highlights the complexities within Morocco's legal landscape, where expressing dissenting views on platforms such as social media can lead to legal repercussions.
As Boukioud plans to take his case to the top court, the outcome of the appeal will be closely watched, shedding light on the broader issues of free speech and dissent in a nation navigating the intricacies of political discourse.
