Moroccan Court Toughens Sentence Against Activist Who Defended Al Haouz Earthquake Victims

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Judicial Crackdown Sparks Outrage as Government Fails to Address Survivors’ Plight

 

Algiers, Algeria | March 5th, 2025 — In a move that has ignited widespread condemnation, a Moroccan appellate court on Tuesday intensified the prison sentence against activist Saïd Aït Mehdi, extending his jail term to one year. Aït Mehdi had spearheaded protests denouncing the sluggish and inadequate response of the Moroccan government in distributing aid to victims of the devastating Al Haouz earthquake that struck Morocco in September 2023, according to his lawyer.

 

Originally sentenced to three months in prison in a lower court ruling, Aït Mehdi was tried behind bars on charges of spreading false information and defamation—charges widely regarded by rights groups as a means of silencing dissent. The case against him was initiated by Moroccan authorities after he persistently exposed the dire conditions faced by survivors and challenged the government’s narrative regarding post-disaster recovery efforts.

 

The earthquake, which struck on September 8, 2023, registered a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scale, claiming over 2,900 lives and causing widespread destruction to critical infrastructure across the Atlas Mountains. Entire villages—built using traditional materials such as mud bricks, stone, and wood—were reduced to rubble, displacing thousands of residents, particularly within the Amazigh communities of the region.

 

Aït Mehdi had emerged as a key advocate for those affected, highlighting severe deficiencies in aid distribution. His lawyer, Mohamed El Ghaoussi, condemned the court’s decision, stating, “This ruling only exacerbates the wounds of the victims, who are already enduring harsh weather conditions, including snow, rain, and biting cold, while still living in makeshift plastic tents.”

 

Despite the international outpouring of support, the Moroccan government’s response remains marred by inefficiencies and unfulfilled promises. Financial assistance to affected families amounted to a mere 2,500 dirhams (approximately $250) per household. The government had pledged to rebuild 35,214 homes, yet, nearly a year after the disaster, only 1,000 out of the 57,000 destroyed residences have been reconstructed, raising urgent questions about the fate of the humanitarian aid and financial contributions from foreign nations.

 

A study conducted by the Policy Center for the New South estimated the economic losses caused by the earthquake to be around 3 billion dirhams, representing 0.24% of Morocco’s GDP for 2023. However, survivors remain trapped in a cycle of neglect, with little transparency regarding the allocation of disaster relief funds. Frustration continues to mount among affected communities as they question how the government has handled the billions in international aid that was meant to support reconstruction efforts.

 

The judicial targeting of activists like Aït Mehdi underscores a broader crackdown on dissent in Morocco, where authorities are increasingly resorting to legal persecution to suppress criticism. His case has become emblematic of the struggles faced by those who dare to challenge state inefficiency and advocate for marginalized communities left to fend for themselves in the aftermath of catastrophe.

 

 

 

 

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