Head of Al-Haouz earthquake victims coordination arrested

Said Ait Mahdi, the head of the Coordination of Earthquake Victims of the Al-Houz earthquake, was arrested on Monday evening and subsequently transferred to the local prison in Oudaya.

Ait Mahdi is facing a series of charges, including «broadcasting and distributing false allegations and claims with the intention of harming the private lives of individuals, defaming them, insulting an organized body, insulting public officials while on duty, assaulting a public official while on duty, and incitement to commit a felony or misdemeanor through electronic means that meet the condition of publicity».

In addition to Ait Mahdi, three other defendants have been charged with «insulting a public official». The first court hearing for these individuals is set for Monday.

The arrests stem from a complaint lodged by an authority figure in the Tadafalt suburb of Ighil and the deputy of the Ajoukak commander.

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) Ait Ourir branch has reacted to the arrests with «surprise» and has called for the «immediate release» of Ait Mahdi.

The association has urged authorities to focus on «the implementation of all commitments related to compensation for damages and reconstruction, rather than relying on a security-focused approach». They stressed the importance of speeding up the compensation process for those affected, rebuilding areas damaged by the earthquake, and revitalizing economic activity in the region.