Moroccan Cartoonist Sentenced to Four Years for Insulting King Mohammed VI on Instagram

In a significant legal decision, Yasser Mounbir, a 22-year-old cartoonist from Morocco, has been sentenced to four years in prison for what has been characterized as insulting the monarchy. The ruling, delivered by a court in Casablanca, stems from Mounbir's social media activity where he shared caricatures of King Mohammed VI on his Instagram account. In addition to the prison sentence, Mounbir is required to pay a hefty fine amounting to 40,000 dirhams, equivalent to approximately 3,600 euros. His lawyer, Me Farouk Mehdaoui, has announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing that the sentence is excessively harsh and raises concerns about freedom of expression in Morocco. The charges against Mounbir not only include insulting the king but also extend to insulting public officials, as per the legal framework governing such expressions in the country. His arrest occurred in June, following the controversial posts that sparked a national conversation about artistic freedom and the limits of expression within Moroccan society. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has vocally demanded Mounbir's release, highlighting the broader implications of his case on civil liberties in Morocco. The legal backdrop to this case is rooted in Article 179 of the Moroccan Penal Code, which criminalizes any form of defamation, insult, or invasion of the king's privacy, with penalties ranging from six months to two years of imprisonment. Notably, the punishment can be escalated if the content is disseminated electronically, as was the case with Mounbir's Instagram posts. Human rights advocates in Morocco have called for the repeal of such laws, arguing that they impose significant restrictions on freedom of expression and calling for clemency for those convicted under these statutes for online publications.

As reported by fr.news.yahoo.com.