Moroccan Rapper Jailed for Insulting Police in Viral Video

Rapper Simo Gnawi admitted to insulting the police in a video posted on Instagram in October 2019 during his appearance, reports AFP. According to his explanations, his act is justified by a "humiliation" he had suffered during a police check.

Gnawi’s lawyer firmly believes that his client’s conviction is just the tip of the iceberg. According to Me Sadkou, the rapper’s latest title "Long live the people" which has already accumulated more than 16 million views on Youtube would be at the origin of these legal troubles. In this track released on the eve of his arrest, he positioned himself as the spokesperson for Moroccan youth and did not hesitate to denounce "injustice" and the "monopolization of wealth".

The rapper is no stranger to the offense for which he was convicted. The prosecutor brandished a CD of the rapper released in 2014, one track of which was very critical of the police. "We don’t openly say what we blame those who disturb, but we try to discredit them," said Me Sadkou.

The rapper may say that he is just an artist and that his work consists of defending his rights and those of his people, but the Salé Tribunal sentenced him last Monday to one year in prison for "contempt of a public official". His lawyer intends to appeal.