Twin girls sentenced to Five year imprisonment

The Moroccan twin girls who stood trial for charges of terrorism under the new anti terror law, were sentenced, on Tuesday, by the Court of Appeal in Rabat to five year imprisonment; Iman and Sanaa Laghriss (14) stood trial under this new law enacted after the May 16 terrorists attacks in Casablanca that left 45 people dead including the 12 suicide bombers. Their alleged accomplice, Hakima Rajlan also 14, was acquitted.

The two juveniles will serve part of their prison term in a young offenders' institution, before completing the sentence in an adult prison on reaching adulthood.

Their trial was held in camera.

The defense pleaded extenuating circumstances, stressing the harsh social environment in which the accused grew, and the exploitation by adults of their youth and naivete.

The prosecutor had requested maximum penalties against the three defendants.