Marrakech Court Concludes Marathon Trial of Chikha Tarax
On the afternoon of November 4, 2026, the Marrakech Court of First Instance wrapped up a lengthy and highly publicized trial involving the popular singer known as "Chikha Tarax." The session, which lasted for nearly four hours, took place in courtroom number 2 and concluded with the judges reserving their decision on the contentious case, preparing for a forthcoming ruling.
Throughout the proceedings, which extended from 10:00 AM to 1:41 PM, Chikha Tarax displayed signs of significant physical and emotional distress, appearing pale and dressed entirely in black as she dealt with the repercussions of her provisional detention. Due to her inability to stand before the court, the presiding judge permitted her to continue the trial seated on a chair, taking into consideration her humanitarian circumstances and ensuring the standards of a fair trial were upheld.
The courtroom was crowded with representatives from human rights organizations and media outlets, where intense arguments focused on the charges brought by the public prosecutor as part of measures aimed at combating inappropriate content and protecting digital rights. Lawyer and human rights activist Ahmed Chitouto, founder of "Zero Tefah" and representative of the civil rights claimants, requested a symbolic compensation of "one dirham" and urged the court to compel the defendant to remove and withdraw all audio and video recordings related to the case from digital platforms at her own expense.
In response, the civil party representatives dismissed the defense's arguments which were based on the claim of "confidentiality" surrounding the recordings. They referenced rulings from the European Court of Human Rights, which stipulate that recordings related to public matters or involving public figures and multiple parties lose their confidentiality and are subject to public scrutiny and judicial evaluation.
In the same vein, the defense commended the institutional integrity demonstrated by the complainants from the "Sidi Youssef Ben Ali" neighborhood, who opted for legal recourse to seek justice rather than resorting to online disputes. They praised the prosecutor's rationale and the provision of all guarantees for innocence and a fair trial. The national public's attention is now focused on the forthcoming deliberation in this case, which is seen as a judicial test to reinforce legal accountability and regulate publication in the digital space.
As reported by ar.le360.ma.
