Group tried under anti-terrorism law gets up to 15 years

Five members of a group known as the Massaoud Afilal Group, arrested under the new anti-terrorist law enacted in the aftermath of the May 16 terrorist attacks in Casablanca, have been sentenced, early Thursday morning, by a court in Rabat to prison terms ranging from 5 to 15 years

The court, while clearing Massoud Afilal of all charges with a 5,000 dirhams ($ 500) fine to pay, has found the four other members of the group guilty of the charges. These are, Ahmed Chico who was sentenced to 5 years in prison, Abdelaziz Semni who was handed down a 6 year-prison sentence, Hussein Akerdouaa, 10 years, and Taieb Ben Tizi to 15 years. They were also ordered to pay a $ 50,000 fine each.

The group members were charged with criminal association with the aim to plot and carry out terrorist attacks, belonging to non recognized associations, holding non authorized meetings, participating in debates calling for Jihad (holy war), fund raising to finance terrorists acts and fraud.

The defense had pleaded non guilty asking the court to acquit the clients in view of the "the lack of evidence."