By Ayomide Otitoju
A Moroccan student has been sentenced to one year in prison in connection with the country’s recent youth-led protests, marking the first publicly known jail term linked to the Gen Z demonstrations, his lawyer told AFP on Friday.
According to lawyer Mohamed Nouini, the student was convicted of “participating in an unauthorised and unarmed gathering” and “insulting the judicial police by providing false information.” Nouini described the verdict as “unfair” and confirmed plans to appeal, noting that Supreme Court precedent does not require authorisation for peaceful sit-ins.
The student was reportedly arrested on September 30, three days after the wave of protests began across Morocco. Another lawyer, Mohamed Lakhdar, told the court that the student’s arrest was “an unfortunate coincidence,” explaining that he had been in Casablanca for a family visit. He also denied that the student had insulted police or provided false information, insisting that “he was just a student.”
The sentencing comes amid widespread demonstrations that have swept Morocco since late September, driven largely by the Gen Z 212 youth collective, which has called for social and political reforms, improved education, and a change of government.
While most protests have been peaceful, some cities have experienced violence and vandalism. Authorities reported three deaths during clashes in a village near Agadir, claiming police acted in self-defence.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) estimates that around 550 people are facing prosecution for their alleged involvement in the demonstrations, with several still in detention.
The Gen Z 212 movement, which operates anonymously online, has urged continued peaceful sit-ins and demanded the release of all arrested protesters. The protests were initially sparked by outrage over the deaths of eight pregnant women during Caesarean sections at a hospital in Agadir but have since evolved into broader calls for systemic reform.
