Morocco - Rapper Convicted After Apparently Unfair Trial

press release

The prison sentence issued on July 1, 2014, for the outspoken rapper known as "Al-Haqed" raises concerns that Moroccan courts have once again convicted him because of his political message. A Casablanca Court of First Instance sentenced Al-Haqed ("the sullen one"), whose real name is Mouad Belghouat, to four months in prison and ordered him to pay a fine and damages for allegedly being inebriated in public and assaulting and insulting policemen.

The trial judge refused all of the defense's motions to summon witnesses, the alleged victims, or the doctor who signed the medical report upon examining them. This refusal was among the reasons the defense team walked out of the trial at the June 24 session, protesting what they considered violations of the defendant's right to a fair trial.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.