Moroccan justice confirmed, Tuesday, September 13, 2022, on appeal a heavy prison sentence for an Internet user accused of“attack on the Islamic religion” after posting on Facebook writings deemed offensive. “The Khouribga Court of Appeal sentenced Fatima Karim to two years in prison, confirming the judgment at first instance”, indicated his lawyer, Me Habib Aadi who deplores “a very harsh verdict”. In detention since mid-July, Fatima Karim, aged 39, was prosecuted for having commented in a satirical tone in Arabic on her Facebook page on verses from the Koran and hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad, considered sacred in Muslim tradition. .
“Offence on religion”
The Moroccan internet user had been sentenced on August 15 to two years in prison for “attacking religion by electronic means” by the court of first instance of Oued Zem, 150 km from the megalopolis of Casablanca. The appeal trial began on September 6 before being immediately adjourned so that the accused can appear before the court. Before the court of first instance, she asserted her right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by the Moroccan Constitution. She had also publicly apologized to “anyone who felt offended” through its publications, ensuring that it never intended to undermine Islam, the state religion in Morocco. The proceedings were initiated by the prosecution.
“Electronic Way”
L’Article 267-5 of the Moroccan Penal Codeunder which Fatima Karim was sentenced, punishes with six months to two years in prison “anyone who violates the Muslim religion”. The penalty is likely to be increased to five years imprisonment if the offense is committed in public, “including electronically”. Human rights defenders denounce this text of law which hinders freedom of expression and whose wording “does not specifically specify the facts that could constitute an infringement”.
In June 2021, an Italian-Moroccan woman was sentenced to three and a half years in prison by the Moroccan courts, also for “attack on the Muslim religion” after posting satirical phrases on Facebook imitating verses from the Koran. The young woman was released shortly after, her sentence having been reduced on appeal to a two-month suspended prison sentence, following a protest campaign by human rights defenders. According to Fatima Karim’s lawyer, the appeal in cassation is “still under study”.
