Spiritual Healer in Morocco Sentenced for Attempted Rape During Exorcism Session

The criminal chamber of the Court of Appeal of Fès sentenced the raqi to three years in prison. He must also pay 10,000 dirhams in damages to the victim. He is accused of acts that took place last summer. A Moroccan residing abroad (MRE) had gone to his home to benefit from a roqya (spiritual healing) session. During the session, the raqi had started touching intimate parts of her body. Embarrassed, the MRE left the healer’s home and went directly to the police to report him.

The police immediately arrested the raqi. The case was brought before the court of first instance of Sefrou. Subsequently, the case was referred to the Court of Appeal, as the public prosecutor’s office of the court had declared itself incompetent. The Court of Appeal decided to prosecute him in detention and ordered his transfer to the Bourkaiz prison.