On June 29, 2026, the Casablanca Court of First Instance sentenced Moroccan activist Zineb Kharroubi to six months in prison with a suspended sentence and a fine of 5,000 dirhams (approximately $500). The case relates to social media posts that were deemed to violate Moroccan law.
Kharroubi, a known human rights activist, faced charges under Morocco's penal code for content she shared on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. The court found her guilty of distributing false information and inciting public disorder, though specific details of the posts were not disclosed in the verdict.
The sentence has drawn attention from international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which called for her release and criticized the use of vague laws to restrict free expression. The trial was closely watched as a test of judicial independence in Morocco.
Kharroubi's defense team announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing that the posts were within the bounds of legitimate criticism and that the charges were politically motivated. The case highlights ongoing tensions between state authorities and activists in the country.
