Morocco’s Top Court Orders Review of Dutch Nationals’ Death Sentences in Marrakech Cafe Murder Case

Shadyone S. and Edwin R.M. had admitted their guilt and revealed the identity of the sponsors of the murder, which was initially aimed at an enemy of Ridouan Taghi, a figure in organized crime, reports Telegraaf. The judges believe that this cooperation should have been considered a mitigating circumstance.

This decision could pave the way for a commutation of their sentence to life imprisonment, or even a lighter sentence. Such an outcome would allow their transfer to a Dutch prison, a prospect that had been unthinkable until now.

The case has attracted attention due to the disproportion of the sentences handed down. The sponsors and the intermediary received much less severe sentences, raising questions about the use of the two Dutch nationals as "scapegoats" by the criminal milieu.

Edwin R.M. claimed that Taghi was behind the attack and involved in the murder of his younger brother. The two men hoped for a more lenient sentence in exchange for their cooperation, which notably allowed the revelation of a list of people to be killed, including journalist Peter R. de Vries.

The initially targeted victim, Mustapha el F., had escaped death by changing his seat on the terrace of his café shortly before the attack. He was later convicted of money laundering.