Moroccan Lawyer Jailed for Criticising the King on Facebook

The lawyer for a Moroccan man accused of criticising the country’s king on social media has told journalists his client has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Saïd Boukioud was charged with “undermining the monarchy” for comments he posted on Facebook in 2020 criticising Morocco’s normalisation of ties with Israel. He was living in Qatar at the time.

The Moroccan constitution stipulates that foreign affairs are the responsibility of King Mohammed sixth and any comments that appear to question his authority are severely penalised.

Mr Boukioud’s lawyer, El Hassan Essouni, described the sentence as “harsh and incomprehensible” and said his client would appeal.

Saïd Boukioud was convicted under article 267-5 of the Criminal Code, which punishes “anyone who undermines the monarchical regime” with six months to two years’ imprisonment.

But the sentence can be increased to five years’ imprisonment if the offence is committed in public – “including by electronic means”.

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Human rights activists criticize the law for hindering freedom of expression, and for “failing to specify in concrete terms the facts that could constitute an attack” on the monarchy.

Since their diplomatic normalization, the two allies have been stepping up their cooperation, essentially in the military, security, trade, and tourism fields.

But this all-out rapprochement has not met with unanimous approval in Morocco, especially since ultra-nationalist currents have come to power in Israel.

Although militant mobilization has waned, the Palestinian cause continues to arouse immense sympathy among the Moroccan population.

In a speech marking the anniversary of his accession to the throne on Saturday, Mohammed VI reiterated “Morocco’s unshakeable position in favor of the just Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people”.