Moroccan Man Sentenced for Violent Response to "Terrorist" Slur After Wrongful Arrest

Samir’s* life was turned upside down on February 20, 2018. That day, the Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI) had arrested him in his apartment, reports La Dépêche du Midi. He was suspected of being linked to the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks of August 17, 2017. Indicted, then incarcerated, he will be acquitted nine months later. It was an error on the part of the Spanish investigators. This episode of his life will remain stuck to his skin.

Samir recounts that one of his fellow citizens called him a "dirty terrorist" after his release from prison. Angry, he attacks him. The fight had taken place, near the Cotton club, a nightclub located on Rue Croix-Verte, on February 24, 2019. At the stand last Thursday, the victim says he is "traumatized". "He had threatened me several times before the dispute at the nightclub," he assures. He is afraid for his life, and had to contact the police on multiple occasions to tell them that his life was threatened. "He did not want me to tell the village that he was implicated in a terrorism case," the victim continues.

The verdict is in: the Moroccan was sentenced to two years in prison, including six months suspended. Similarly, he is prohibited from contacting the victim. Absent from the hearing, the court issued an arrest warrant against the defendant.

*Pseudonym