A Moroccan court sentenced Said Ait Mahdi, a prominent activist, to three months in prison for defamation Monday after he criticized the government's handling of the 2023 El Haouzearthquake, according to AFP. The activist, who heads a victims' advocacy group, was convicted on charges of defamation, insult, and publishing false allegations, according to his lawyer, Mohamed Nouini.
Ait Mahdi has been in detention since December 23 and plans to appeal the ruling.
The court also ordered him to pay damages of 10,000 dirhams ($1,000) to each of the complainants, identified as local officials who alleged his social media posts were offensive. Three other group members were acquitted.
The earthquake devastated the High Atlas region, leaving nearly 3,000 dead, 5,600 injured, and 60,000 homes destroyed. AitMahdi’s group has advocated for faster reconstruction, while authorities claim progress, pointing to 57,000 reconstruction permits and a $11 billion recovery plan.
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