Heba Press. On Ayyash
The Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Wehbe, filed a judicial complaint before the competent authorities in Rabat against journalist Hicham El Amrani, accusing him of defamation and publishing incorrect allegations and facts intentionally and in bad faith.
Based on this complaint, the Crown Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance in Rabat decided to refer journalist Hisham Al-Omrani to trial, the first session of which is scheduled to be held on January 21.
Wehbe’s accusations are based on “defamation and publishing untrue allegations and facts in bad faith,” based on Articles 83 and 84 of Law 88.13 relating to the press and publishing, in addition to Article 72 of the same law.
Wehbe…not the first time
The Minister of Justice, Abdel-Tif Wehbe, decided to file a lawsuit against Hamid El Mahdaoui, days after the royal pardon granted by King Mohammed VI to a number of journalists and bloggers on the occasion of the anniversary of the “King and People’s Revolution.” This pardon was greatly welcomed by professional and legal circles and the general public. Moroccan public opinion considered it a good gesture to close such files.
Accordingly… the Court of First Instance in Rabat decided to convict journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui of an effective year and a half in prison, with civil compensation amounting to 150 million centimes in favor of the Minister of Justice, Abdel Latif Wehbe.
The complaint was filed against Al-Mahdawi on charges of “broadcasting and distributing false allegations and facts” and “public insult” under Articles 443, 444, and 447 of the Criminal Code.
It is not the first time that Wehbe, a journalist or blogger, has been brought to justice, in his ministerial or party capacity as a former Secretary-General of the “Authenticity and Modernity” Party participating in the government. He was the reason for the trial of Reda Al-Tawjni due to blog posts about the “Escobar in the Desert” case, in which the blogger received a prison sentence, but he He left the prison walls after benefiting from the recent royal pardon
The Court of First Instance in Agadir issued a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 20,000 dirhams, along with a symbolic dirham in compensation to the Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Wehbe, after the Minister of Justice filed a complaint against him, accusing him of defamation, by broadcasting video clips related to the Escobar Sahara case.
Wehbe…takes up litigation and invites Moroccans to join him
A few days ago, Minister of Justice Abdel Latif Wehbe called on Moroccans to resort to the judiciary if they are defamed through social media.
Wehbe said in his response to questions from parliamentarians in the House of Councilors: “Anyone who uses social media to photograph or spread incorrect news against a person, I call on him to take action to the judiciary… This is his right and is part of the culture of human rights, and freedom of expression does not include harming people’s reputations and dignity.” And their private lives.”
The minister added, “I call on Moroccans to take action and file lawsuits, and the judiciary will respect the law and apply it. If you are defamed through social media, go to court and ask for compensation, as this is your right.”
