The Rabat court of first instance has just sentenced journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui, publishing director of the media “Badil.info”, to a sentence of one and a half years in prison and a fine of 1.5 million dirhams . This conviction follows a complaint for defamation filed by the Minister of Justice, Abdelatif Ouahbi, following publications deemed to be slanderous.
The Rabat court of first instance sentenced, this Monday, November 11, journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui, publishing director of the information site “Badil.info”, to one and a half years in prison. In addition to this conviction, he will have to pay compensation of 1.5 million dirhams to the Minister of Justice and former secretary general of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), Abdelatif Ouahbi, who had become a civil party.
Abdellatif Ouahbi, who filed a complaint, accuses Hamid El Mahdaoui of defamation and dissemination of false information, following the publication of articles that Ouahbi considered slanderous and damaging to his image.
The complaint is based on several accusations, including those of defamation and public insult, under articles 447-2, 444 and 443 of the Moroccan Penal Code. These legal provisions aim to repress attacks on the reputation and integrity of individuals through the dissemination of false information in the media or on social networks.
The case began last February when the National Brigade of the Judicial Police (BNPJ) in Casablanca summoned Hamid El Mahdaoui for questioning following the complaint filed by Ouahbi. At the end of this preliminary investigation, the prosecution decided to prosecute the journalist on provisional release, before this Monday’s sentence ratified a prison sentence.
Morocco
Related News :