Schoolgirl’s phone uncovers exploitation case involving minors in Karia Ba Mohamed

In recent days, the village of Karia Ba Mohamed, in Taounate province, has been shaken by a disturbing case involving the suspected exploitation and grooming of underage girls. The case has led to the arrest of several people, while security investigations are still underway to uncover all the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The case came to light by chance around 20 days ago, after one of the victims used her mobile phone in class. The teacher handed the phone over to the school administration to check whether she had taken pictures inside the classroom. However, a search of the phone uncovered sexually explicit images, raising suspicions and prompting the girl to be questioned, according to Abderrahim El Mrabet, a member of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, Fez branch, which has become involved in the case.

According to the rights activist, after the school administration questioned the minor in question, she admitted that other girls are involved. The school quickly notified the security authorities, which immediately launched an investigation. The first victim was questioned and, in turn, revealed the names of other underage girls, who were also questioned as part of the inquiry.

Preliminary investigations resulted in the arrest of six adults suspected of involvement in the case, including a woman who, according to the member of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, acted as an intermediary and coordinator for these gatherings.

The detainees were brought before the investigating judge at the Fez Court of Appeal, who decided to prosecute them while they remain in custody. Among them are influential individuals, according to the rights activist, while security investigations continue to identify any other potential suspects and to establish all the circumstances and details of the case.

In a letter to the prosecutor general at the Fez Court of Appeal, seen by Yabiladi, the association expressed its strong condemnation of the incident. It said that, based on information it had received, «those involved in this case are trying by every means to pressure for the case to be closed, exploiting their influence and their ties with the families of the underage victims in an attempt to buy their silence».

The association added that such practices are heightening parents’ fears for their daughters, threatening to increase school dropout rates among girls in the area. In this context, the rights group called for updates on the prosecution of all those involved, and for the investigation to be deepened in accordance with the laws in force, while urging that the best interests of children be protected.