Wealthy Moroccan Youth Face Scrutiny as Crime and Impunity Spark Public Outrage

In Morocco, the offenses committed by the "Oulad lefchouch" are multiplying. In the past, their crimes remained unpunished, with the cases being opened against unknown persons. "Even when the trial is carried through to the end, things stop at the level of execution thanks to a game of influence and interventions skillfully conducted by the family," says Assabah. But the advent of social networks is changing the situation. On the web, victims and relatives of victims film the crimes, "file" their complaint in public. The ministry then takes charge of examining these cases.

In 2021, the Criminal Chamber of the Casablanca Court of Appeal had sentenced three "Oulad lefchouch" to 15 years in prison each. They were prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, gang rape, kidnapping, identity theft, blackmail and torture. At the bar, the main accused had pleaded guilty and admitted to having abused seven girls. A year earlier, the son of a businessman had been sentenced to two months in prison for insulting a security guard in Tétouan.

Why these behaviors from the spoiled children? The Arabic-language daily points to the lack of education, effrontery and misplaced audacity. It then becomes essential that values such as work, freedom and equality be instilled in them in their families but also at school and in society.