Criticism of normalization accords lands Moroccan five years in prison

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Aug 2023 23:37

The Moroccan authorities detain a man and sentence him to five years in prison for criticizing Rabat's normalization of ties with the Israeli occupation.

Protesters shout slogans and wave a flag during a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Rabat, Morocco, May 10, 2021 (AP)

Morocco sentenced a citizen to five years in prison for criticizing the country's normalization of ties with the Israeli occupation and the King's role in it on Facebook, the man's lawyer told AFP on Wednesday.

The convict, Said Boukioud, 48, was found guilty of posting on Facebook, denouncing the normalization of the occupation in a manner that could be seen as criticizing the King, revealed his lawyer, El Hassan Essouni.

Boukioud "was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for Facebook posts denouncing normalization with Israel in a way that could be interpreted as criticism of the king," he said, adding that he has appealed the verdict.

In Morocco, foreign affairs fall under the King's purview, as per the country's constitution, and Rabat's normalization of relations with "Israel" took place in December 2020 as part of a broad normalization effort pushed for by the United States.

Boukioud's lawyer expressed his dismay at the "harsh and incomprehensible" verdict, arguing that his client's opposition to ties with "Israel" was not meant as an offensive act toward the King.

The Facebook posts date back to the end of 2020, during a period when Boukioud was living and working in Qatar. Upon discovering that he was facing prosecution in Morocco, he deleted the posts and disabled his account.

The sentencing was based on Article 267-5 of the penal code, which stipulates imprisonment ranging from six months to two years for undermining the monarchy. However, the sentence can be increased to five years if the offense is committed publicly, including online or through other electronic means.

Human rights activists criticize this law, asserting that it restricts freedom of expression, as it does not clearly define what constitutes an attack on the monarchy.

The normalization deal with the Israeli occupation is widely unpopular in Morocco, with the public constantly protesting the decision and taking stances against the Monarchy's betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

For example, the Moroccan Action Group for Palestine described the recent invitation sent by King Mohammed VI to the Israeli Prime Minister as a catastrophe and a provocation to the Morrocan people.

In a statement, the group explained that the Israeli Prime Minister is not welcome in their country, affirming that normalization with "Israel" is a betrayal and will not achieve Morrocco's national interests.

On the contrary, the group said Rabat will suffer heavily on the moral, legal, and diplomatic levels.

It added, "The upcoming ill-fated visit comes in the context of David Govrin's return as head of the so-called diplomatic mission of the occupation, in a blatant challenge, and to prove the imposition of Zionist diktats on our country." It is worth noting that Gorvin was investigated over accusations related to his exploitation of Moroccan women and sexual assault.

The Moroccan Action Group for Palestine underlined the necessity to revise the decision of inviting the "criminal Netanyahu and his gang" to Morocco, seeing that the event would entrench on spiritual beliefs of Moroccans, specifically Muslim affiliation with Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Morocco's continued work on normalizing relations with "Israel" marks a dangerous precedent, as it does so independently, outside of the US umbrella that included other normalizing Arab states such as Sudan, Egypt, and the UAE.

It is worth noting that Rabat severed ties with "Israel" in 2000 following the outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada, but it normalized ties with "Israel" in 2020 following the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.