Said Ait Mahdi, a Moroccan activist, was sentenced to three months in prison for leading protests against the government’s ineffective earthquake response. His activism followed a September earthquake that killed nearly 3,000 and severely damaged infrastructure in the Al Haouz region. The case has drawn condemnation from human rights advocates who view the charges as politically motivated.
Said Ait Mahdi, a prominent Moroccan activist, has been sentenced to three months in prison following his leadership in protests against the government’s inadequate response to a devastating earthquake in September 2023. The 32-year-old, who heads an activist group in the affected Al Haouz region, received this sentence amid charges of defamation, assault, and inciting unauthorized demonstrations, as reported by his attorney, Isaac Charia. The earthquake, which measured 6.8 on the Richter scale, resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
The recent earthquake in Morocco highlighted significant regional disparities in recovery efforts, particularly for indigenous minority communities in the Al Haouz area. Ait Mahdi’s activism arose in response to perceived governmental negligence in addressing the needs of those affected by the disaster. His sentencing has raised concerns among human rights advocates, who view it as politically motivated retaliation for his vocal criticism of the government’s response. This has sparked a series of protests demanding accountability and improved recovery measures.
Ait Mahdi’s sentence has ignited discourse around civil liberties in Morocco, with numerous human rights organizations condemning the judiciary’s decision as retaliatory. The government’s response to the earthquake, which has already exacerbated existing inequalities, continues to face scrutiny from both local activists and the international community. This case underscores the ongoing struggle for free speech and civil rights in the country.
Original Source: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
