Moroccan Journalist Hamid Mahdaoui Sentenced to 18 Months for Defamation

Hamid Mahdaoui, editor of Badil.info, received an 18-month sentence for defaming Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi. The Rabat court fined him 1.5 million dirhams. Mahdaoui, convicted under the penal code, plans to appeal. He was previously jailed for not reporting a crime against state security.

Moroccan journalist Hamid Mahdaoui was handed an 18-month prison sentence for defamation against Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi, a Rabat court ruled on Monday.

The ruling also imposed a fine of 1.5 million dirhams ($150,000). Mahdaoui, editor-in-chief of Badil.info, has a history of criticizing government policies and was accused after alleging fraud by Ouahbi in a video posted on his website. Ouahbi has denied all accusations.

Mahdaoui expressed his surprise at the harsh sentence, indicating his intention to appeal. He was sentenced under the penal code rather than the press code, which mandates no jail time, highlighting concerns from human rights groups. Previously, Mahdaoui served three years in prison after a separate conviction.

(With inputs from agencies.)