Marrakech court sentences three to 4 years each for deadly food poisoning

The Marrakech Court of First Instance sentenced three defendants: the owner of a fast food restaurant and two of his employees, to four years in prison each, with a fine of 1000 dirhams. This follows the death of six people, including a child, due to food poisoning after they ate at the restaurant in the Mahamid neighborhood of Marrakech.

The fast food owner was charged with «unintentionally causing manslaughter due to his negligence and disregard for laws and regulations», «removing objects from the scene of the crime before carrying out preliminary operations with the intention of obstructing the course of justice», «offering a product that poses a danger to human health», and «keeping and storing food items for sale in unhealthy conditions».

The other two defendants were charged with «participation» in the aforementioned charges.

In late April, more than 20 people, including a 5-year-old girl, were taken to Mohammed VI University Hospital for food poisoning after eating at the fast food restaurant.

Authorities then arrested the owner and employees of the restaurant. They also seized «a quantity of spoiled meat intended for the preparation of fast food and expired foodstuffs» in the presence of a committee from the health safety office.