Ouarzazate Court sentences six in GenerationZ protests case

Yesterday, the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Ouarzazate sentenced six young men from Kalaat M’Gouna in connection with the GenerationZ protests. Three of the defendants received four-year prison terms, two others were sentenced to two years, and the sixth defendant received one year.

During the hearings, the defense requested leniency, arguing that the defendants’ actions stemmed from peaceful expression and protest. The public prosecutor, however, called for the strict application of laws concerning incitement to unauthorized assembly and disturbance of public order.

The charges included deliberately setting fire to movable property, vandalizing public and private assets, placing obstacles on public roads, obstructing traffic, and committing acts of violence against public officials, as well as participating in and inciting public felonies and misdemeanors.

The court will continue examining related cases involving other defendants from Ouarzazate and Taznakht, with verdicts expected on November 13. These trials are part of ongoing prosecutions linked to the Generation Z protests that took place in several cities across the Drâa-Tafilalet region, which led to a series of arrests of young demonstrators.