A Moroccan court sentenced journalist Hamid Mahdaoui to 18 months in prison Monday for defaming Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi, imposing an additional fine of 1.5 million dirhams ($150,000).
Mahdaoui, editor-in-chief of news website Badil.info and a vocal government critic, faced charges after publishing a video accusing Ouahbi of fraud, allegations the minister has denied. “I am innocent… I did not expect this prison sentence,” Mahdaoui told Reuters, saying he was undecided about appealing the verdict.
The case has drawn attention from human rights advocates, with Khadija Riadi of the Moroccan human rights group AMDH noting that Mahdaoui was prosecuted under the penal code rather than the press code, which doesn’t include prison sentences.
The conviction marks Mahdaoui’s second imprisonment, following his release in July 2020 after serving three years for failing to report a crime against state security.
The justice minister was not immediately available for comment following the verdict.
