Carrefour Drops Lawsuit Against Moroccan Activist Who Called for Boycott

This human rights activist had called to "boycott Carrefour Asfi". Hence the complaint filed against him by the French retail giant. Following this complaint, the young man was arrested by the judicial police of the city of Al Youssoufia, then presented before the prosecutor of the King of the court of first instance of the city, on Friday, January 3. He will be released after paying a bail set at 5,000 dirhams.

Prosecuted for defamation and slander, his trial was scheduled for Monday, January 20, 2025. But unexpectedly, Carrefour withdrew its complaint on Friday, January 17. The accused and his defense were informed of the withdrawal of the complaint at the hearing this Monday. Faced with this situation, the activist’s defense requested the postponement of the hearing to prepare his pleadings. Granting this request, the Court decided to postpone the hearing to Monday, January 27, 2025.

At the end of last December, 13 activists were convicted for similar acts by the court of first instance of Salé. The accused were sentenced to six months in prison with probation for calling for a boycott of the Carrefour store in the city. Human rights associations have condemned these legal proceedings against activists who call for boycotts of companies supporting Israel in the war in Gaza, considering them a restriction on freedom of opinion, expression and thought.