Moroccan Journalist’s Prison Sentence Increased to 15 Years in Sexual Violence Case

Sentenced in the first instance to 12 years in prison for "human trafficking", "abuse of power for sexual purposes", "rape and attempted rape", Bouachrine sees his sentence increased to 15 years in prison.

The founder of the daily newspaper Akhbar Al Yaoum was found guilty on appeal of sexual violence that he has always denied, denouncing a "political trial".

At the beginning of this month, the Prosecutor’s representative had asked the judges of the Court of Appeal to sentence the accused to 20 years in prison with a fine of one million dirhams (about 90,000 euros).

As for the journalist, he boycotted the last hearings of his trial to denounce what he considers to be a bias of the justice system. His presence this Friday in court is justified by his desire to exercise his right to speak, saying again that he is innocent and hoping for a "fair" sentence.