Moroccan Court Increases Sentences for Gang Rape of Mother and Daughters

Increased sentence for three members of a criminal gang prosecuted before the criminal chamber of the Rabat Court of Appeal for kidnapping, violent rapes under the threat of knives and torture. Sentenced to 36 years in prison at first instance, they each received 25 years in prison on appeal, reports the Arabic-language daily Al Akhbar. This conviction is the result of legal proceedings initiated by the Attorney General of the King. Dissatisfied with the verdict of the court of first instance, he had appealed. A woman involved in this assault and sentenced to 2 years in prison at first instance will soon be tried on appeal.

The facts attributed to the defendants took place in 2020. Hooded members of a criminal gang had raped a mother and her four daughters, living in a douar in Bouknadal in the vicinity of Salé. Four suspects, including a woman, had been arrested as part of the investigations. After being brought before the judge, they were incarcerated in the Salé prison.

Before the gang rape, one of the victims had reported to the gendarmes that they had been threatened by a criminal gang, but they had not followed up. In a statement, the Attorney General of the King indicated that these gendarmes are being prosecuted and will be tried in accordance with the law.