Moroccan Court Increases Activist’s Sentence Over Earthquake Criticism

A Moroccan court has increased activist Said Ait Mahdi’s prison sentence to one year for criticizing earthquake recovery efforts. Three other members of his coalition received three-month sentences for insulting public officials. Despite efforts for reconstruction after the devastating September 2023 earthquake, challenges such as fraud persist, highlighting tensions between the government and civil society.

In a recent ruling, a Moroccan appeals court has increased the prison sentence of activist Said Ait Mahdi from three months to one year due to his criticism of the government’s response to the Al Haouz earthquake. The court also reversed its previous acquittal of three other members of the Al Haouz Earthquake Victims Coalition, sentencing them to three months in prison for insulting public officials.

Said Ait Mahdi, who leads the aforementioned coalition, was initially sentenced on January 13 to three months and fined MAD 10,000 ($1,000) for defamation and publicly disseminating false information about local authorities’ earthquake recovery efforts. This case emerged in the context of the aftermath of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Marrakech in September 2023, a disaster that resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, over 5,600 injuries, and the destruction of approximately 60,000 homes, particularly in the High Atlas mountain region.

Local organizations, including Ait Mahdi’s coalition, have been advocating for expedited reconstruction and enhanced assistance for affected families. By early December 2024, the Moroccan government had issued 57,000 reconstruction permits, with reports indicating that over 35,000 homes were either completed or under construction. Furthermore, the government allocated roughly MAD 140,000 (about $14,000) per family for home reconstruction efforts.

Nevertheless, challenges have surfaced during the recovery process. In January, the Ministry of Interior reported that more than 27 individuals had fallen victim to fraud by various construction contractors. To streamline reconstruction, an inter-ministerial committee has been established to oversee the rehabilitation efforts, while 63,766 families are receiving monthly financial assistance. Additionally, the government has committed over MAD 800 million (approximately $79.29 million) to enhance and expand healthcare facilities within the earthquake-affected regions.

The Moroccan court’s recent decision to increase the sentence of activist Said Ait Mahdi underscores the contentious atmosphere surrounding the government’s disaster response. While substantial recovery efforts are underway with considerable financial allocations and construction permits issued, the criticism from local organizations highlights ongoing challenges such as fraud and the need for improved support for victims. Overall, the situation reflects a complex interplay between government action and civil society advocacy in the context of natural disasters.

Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com