Fugitive Convicted in Belgium Child Murder Case Sentenced to 15 Years in Morocco

Théa’s family expressed "partial relief" at this sentence, reports L’Avenir. The girl’s relatives have done everything to ensure that justice is served for their "ray of sunshine". This family from Sclayn (a town on the banks of the Meuse) was finally able to see the girl’s murderer convicted, but their satisfaction is tempered by the hope that this judgment marks the end of a long and painful ordeal. Indeed, since the opening of the appeal trial in Morocco, the latter has been postponed 17 times.

The tragic death of Théa shook Belgium and beyond. The drama occurred as the little girl was preparing to celebrate her birthday. Her mother, who had briefly left the house, had left Théa under the supervision of her then-partner, Mounir Kiouh. It was in this family apartment that Théa suffered the fatal blows from Kiouh, dying later at the hospital on November 10, 2005.

Although Kiouh was convicted in Belgium, he had fled to Morocco just after his appeal trial, thinking he would be protected by Moroccan law, which does not allow the extradition of its nationals. What he forgot is that Moroccan law also stipulates that any national who has committed a crime abroad can be prosecuted on Moroccan territory if the judgment is not final. The Belgian-Moroccan was therefore arrested and placed in pre-trial detention in Morocco. He now has ten days to appeal the decision.