Moroccan Bar Association Files Complaint Against Algerian Commentator for Racist Remarks

The Moroccan Bar Association (CAM) condemns Mehdi Ghezzar’s infamous remarks about the kingdom, King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people. During his intervention in the "Hebdo Show" program on the Algerian channel AL24 on August 25, 2024, the now former columnist of the show "Les Grandes Gueules" violently attacked Morocco, describing it as a "rogue state" and an El Dorado for traffickers. He also claimed that Morocco forbids its citizens from expressing solidarity with Gaza due to a royal decree initiated by the Moroccan royal advisor André Azoulay.

According to the Moroccan Bar Association, Ghezzar’s remarks are contrary to French laws on freedom of the press, in particular Article 24 of the Law of July 29, 1881, which punishes incitement to discrimination, as well as Article 29, which punishes public insults. It has therefore filed a report against the Algerian for incitement to racial hatred and defamation, and is asking the Public Prosecutor of the Paris Judicial Court to "examine it and initiate appropriate proceedings against" the former columnist of the show "Les Grandes Gueules".

"The CAM also reserves the right to join the civil party before the Paris Criminal Court for these acts," the same source added.