Morocco : 18 Months in Jail for 3 Journalists from the Weekly Al-Michaal

Rabat- the misdemeanor court sentenced three journalists of the weekly "Al-Michaal" to eighteenth months in jail. Driss Chahtanm, the publishing director, to a year, and journalists Mostafa Hiran and Rashid Mahameed to three months in prison ‎and‎ a 5,000 MAD (US$655) fine each for "spreading false news and incorrect information" about King Mohamed VI’s health, in accordance with Chapters 42 and 68 of the Moroccan Press Law, which criminalize "broadcasting or transfering false news or claiming or misrepresent facts or different fraudulent documents attributed to others, if violated public order or caused panic among the people."

Immediately after the court ruling, around two dozen policemen stormed the Casablanca-based offices of Al-Michaal and arrested Chahtan, journalists told CPJ. Lahbib Mohamed Haji, one of the newspaper’s lawyers told CPJ‎ that the arrest violated the country’s penal code, saying that the public prosecutor “had no legal basis to request the imprisonment after the ‎court issued its decision.” Haji said he has appealed the ruling. Neither Hiran nor Mahameed have been detained.

“These jail terms are part of a disturbing trend of repression of critical journalism in Morocco,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “The government has failed to keep its repeated promise to reform restrictive press legislation and a politicized judiciary. We call on the appeals court to overturn these convictions. Meanwhile our colleague should be released on bail.”

It should be noted that it is expected that Ali Anouzla, the publishing director of "Aljarida Al-Oula" and his colleague journalist Bouchra Eddou will be sentenced similar verdicts of those of the weekly "Al-Michaal", especially that the charges are alike.