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Morocco World
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
YouTuber Hicham Jerando Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison in Morocco
Rabat – Moroccan YouTuber Hicham Jerando, who currently lives in Canada, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Criminal Chamber of the Rabat Court of Appeal. The ruling was made in absentia on Thursday, with Jerando convicted on charges related to terrorism, cybercrime, and inciting violence. According to converging local reports, Jerando is accused of creating a terrorist group that aimed to seriously disturb public order through online campaigns involving threats and manipulation on social media. He has also been using his platform to spread conspiracy theories and misinformation about Morocco's monarchy, including claims of a 'silent coup' and alleged threats to Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. The case began in early March after a woman filed a complaint saying she had been blackmailed and threatened on the messaging app WhatsApp. Morocco's National Judicial Police (BNPJ) launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of five people close to Jerando in Casablanca, including his sister and his 15-year-old niece. Authorities believe Jerando's relatives helped him carry out his actions by providing him with digital tools and participating in the production of defamatory videos. In addition to terrorism-related charges, those involved face accusations of spreading false information, making threats, attacking public institutions, and insulting a lawyer. Investigators also reportedly found technical evidence of money transfers linked to these activities. Jerando's sister and niece were reportedly released on March 10 this year under certain conditions, while the investigation continues. Tags: Hicham jerandoHicham Jerando CasejailprisonSentence
Ya Biladi
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Fake journalist in Beni Mellal sentenced to 2 years for defamation and impersonation
A taxi driver was sentenced on Thursday to two years in prison and fined 20,000 dirhams by the Criminal Chamber of the Beni Mellal Court of First Instance. According to Al Akhbar, he was prosecuted for impersonation, insulting officials, and spreading false allegations with the intent to defame, with repeat offenses. Arrested in Fkih Ben Salah, he was brought before the prosecutor on February 20 while in custody and subsequently placed in pre-trial detention. Already convicted multiple times over the past year, he had used his Facebook page to publish unfounded accusations against officials, elected representatives, and community leaders, manipulating public opinion through platforms dedicated to slander and blackmail. Several human rights organizations took legal action, particularly denouncing serious accusations he had made against the public prosecutor of Fkih Ben Salah. The accused falsely claimed to be a journalist by misusing credentials, prompting media professionals to welcome his arrest.
Ya Biladi
24-03-2025
- Ya Biladi
Abderrahim Bioui denies links to «Escobar of the Sahara» and drug trafficking
Abderrahim Bioui, brother of the former president of the Oriental region, reaffirmed before the Criminal Chamber of the Casablanca Court of Appeal that he had no connection to Ahmed Benbrahim, also known as the «Escobar of the Sahara». He denied knowing him and refuted any involvement in drug trafficking, declaring, «Traffickers should be sentenced to the death penalty», Assabah reports in its Monday, March 24 edition. According to the newspaper, Bioui also disputed statements made by the Malian suspect to the judicial police, insisting that he had never traveled with his brother and did not know the individuals implicated in the case. He further claimed that his business—his primary source of income—had suffered a 35% loss since his detention. Regarding Saïd Naciri, the former president of Wydad Casablanca, who is also detained in this case, Bioui stated that he had met him only once and was unaware of his identity, explaining that he had no interest in sports. When questioned about five trucks allegedly provided to him by the Malian suspect, Bioui clarified that an analysis of their GPS data by the National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) showed they had not moved since 2017. He also presented their registration documents to prove their origin, refuting claims that they were of Chinese manufacture. The court also addressed the seizure of a truck carrying 40 tons of cannabis resin. Bioui denied any knowledge of it, asserting that his vehicles were used exclusively for quarry operations. He further explained that metal recovered from dismantled machinery was sold by weight to prevent any fraudulent use. As for the origin of the funds in his possession, he stated that they came from his agricultural and mining activities, citing revenues of 100 million dirhams from agriculture and 20 million from livestock, in addition to profits from his quarries. He maintained that he had all the necessary documents to prove the legality of his assets, prompting the Prosecutor's Office to request their verification, Assabah concludes.
