Moroccan Activist Faces Prison After Earthquake Aid Criticism

The Moroccan judiciary has sentenced activist Said Ait Mahdi to a three-month prison term for his criticism of local authorities' handling of earthquake recovery efforts in the Marrakech region. The verdict, delivered on Monday, also included a fine of 10,000 dirhams ($1,000) in damages to each civil party involved.

Ait Mahdi, who leads the Al Haouz Earthquake Victims Coalition, has been in custody since December 23. The charges against him included defamation and publishing false claims that violated privacy. While three other members of his organization faced charges of insulting public officials, they were acquitted.

According to Mohamed Nouini, the activist's lawyer who spoke to AFP, the case originated from social media posts that local officials deemed offensive. Nouini has announced plans to appeal the verdict.

The controversy stems from the aftermath of a devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the Marrakech region in September 2023. The natural disaster claimed nearly 3,000 lives, injured 5,600 people, and damaged approximately 60,000 homes, particularly in the High Atlas mountains. Many survivors were forced to live in tents for months following the disaster.

The Al Haouz province, located south of Marrakech, was among the most severely impacted areas. Ait Mahdi's organization has been advocating for expedited reconstruction efforts and increased support for affected families.

Recent official reports indicate progress in reconstruction efforts, with authorities issuing 57,000 reconstruction permits. More than 35,000 homes have either been completed or are currently under construction. The government has pledged financial support of 140,000 MAD (approximately $14,000) per family for home reconstruction.

An inter-ministerial committee is overseeing the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. To date, 63,766 families have received monthly financial aid designated for earthquake victims. Additionally, Morocco has allocated over 800 million MAD ($79.29 million) for healthcare facility construction, expansion, and rehabilitation in the affected areas.

However, challenges persist. The Ministry of Interior recently revealed that more than 27 earthquake-affected individuals fell victim to fraud by construction contractors, highlighting ongoing concerns about the recovery process.