Morocco Debates Death Penalty After Child’s Brutal Murder Sparks Outrage

An online petition has been launched to force the authorities’ hand. Approached by 2M.ma, Nouzha Skalli, spokesperson for the network of parliamentarians against the death penalty, indicates that she fully understands and shares the reaction of Moroccans in response to such a villainous crime. But she has some reservations "I express my full solidarity and compassion and share the pain of Adnane’s parents. Justice must be done, free from any pressure. It must take into account the social and psychological investigation," she said. Morocco has not applied the death penalty since 1982. But an exception was made in 1993, in the case of the Tabit commissioner.

The petition has already reached more than half a million signatures. Internet users hope that Adnane’s rapist and murderer will be executed. But Nouzha Skalli remains convinced that even if the perpetrator(s) were condemned to a death as atrocious as the victim’s, it would not change the situation. She calls on the authorities to responsibly manage this case. "Justice is not revenge," she said, while calling for the perpetrator of these barbaric acts to be condemned with the utmost rigor.

She calls for research to be conducted on the reasons behind these acts to prevent generations from being sacrificed. "Raped children who do not receive any follow-up can unfortunately become rapists themselves," explains Nouzha Skalli. Since Monday, September 14, the alleged killer of Adnane Bouchouf has been brought before the Prosecutor of the King near the Court of Appeal of Tangier. Moroccans hope that justice will be done for Adnane and his parents.