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A Moroccan man was sentenced to 5 years in prison for posting critical comments about the king on Facebook.

A Moroccan man was sentenced to 5 years in prison for posting critical comments about the king on Facebook.

His lawyer referred to the court's decision as "harsh and incomprehensible," adding that his client had no desire to displease the king in doing so.

According to the Guardian, a man in Morocco was given a five-year prison term for disparaging King Mohammed VI in his Facebook posts. Notably, his posts dealt with the nation's decision to normalize relations with Israel.

Said Boukioud, 48, was convicted on Monday by the Court of First Instance in Casablanca and accused of "undermining the monarchy" over remarks he made on Facebook in 2020.

He was then a resident of Qatar. He removed the posts and deleted his account after finding out he was being investigated in Morocco. He was arrested nevertheless, when he got back to Casablanca last week.

According to Mr. Boukioud's lawyer El Hassan Essouni, he was imprisoned for postings criticizing the normalization "in a way that could be interpreted as criticism of the king."

In accordance with the Abraham Accords, which were supported by the US, Morocco and Israel normalized their relations in December 2020.

According to the country's constitution, King Mohammed VI has exclusive authority over foreign policy.

His lawyer criticized the court's decision as "harsh and incomprehensible," adding that his client didn't intend to anger the king.

According to article 267-5 of the penal code, anyone found guilty of undermining the monarchy faces a sentence of between six months and two years in prison. Mr. Boukioud was found guilty under this provision.


However, because the crime was openly committed, especially through electronic means, the term in this instance was enhanced to five years.

Human rights advocates disagree with the ruling, arguing that the phrasing "does not specify exactly what might constitute an attack" on the monarchy.

The sentence has been appealed, according to the lawyer.

 

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