Moroccan Man Sentenced for Abandoning Family, Violating Parental Duties

A woman filed a complaint against her deserting husband and won her case. The court of first instance in the city of Oued Zem sentenced her husband to two months in prison with probation and a compensation of 7,000 DH, reports Alyaoum24.com. He had "left the family home without compelling reason, thus evading parental duties."

According to the Moroccan Penal Code, any father or mother who has left the family home for two months, in the absence of force majeure, while refusing to fulfill their duties towards their children, will be accused of the offense of abandonment of family. "He or she shall be punished by imprisonment of one month to one year and a fine of 200 to 2000 dirhams, or one of these two penalties," specifies Article 479 of the code.