Coal Miner’s Death Sparks Protests, Leading to Prison Sentences in Morocco

The victim, Mehdi Bellouch, worked, like his brother, in a coal extraction cooperative, reports Alyaoum24. He died at his workplace, following the collapse of the mine, while his brother was injured. His death provoked the anger of the young people of the city who immediately gathered in front of the hospital where he was referred to inquire about the circumstances of the tragedy.

Tensions escalated when they learned of the hasty burial of the victim. Alerted, the security forces intervened and arrested 7 demonstrators.

At the end of their trial, they were sentenced to prison terms of one year, six months, four months, three months and two months for "unauthorized demonstration" and "violation of the state of health emergency" in Jerrada. These sentences are accompanied by fines ranging from 500 to 5000 dirhams.