El Jadida: court sentences 15 councilors to 3 months in jail

The Marrakesh tribunal of first instance sentenced Thursday 15 newly-elected councilors from the municipality of El Jadida to 3 months in jail and a 5,000 Dirham ($500) fine each for fraud in local elections.

The councilors, elected on Sept.12, were arrested five days later in a Marrakesh hotel.

The convicted belong to the National Popular Movement (MNP), the Justice and Development Party (PJD), the Democratic and Social Movement (MDS) and the Democratic Union (UD).