27 individuals sentenced to up to 8 years in jail under terrorism law

The appeal court of Rabat handed down Saturday sentences ranging between 2 years of suspended imprisonment to 8 years in jail against 27 individuals, sued in the framework of the anti-terrorism law.

In the first case, involving a group from Sidi Bennour (south), the tribunal rendered sentences ranging between 5 to 8 years in jail against 22 persons mainly for "criminal association, to prepare and perpetrate terrorist acts, harming sacred values, activities within a non-recognized association and non authorized public meetings.

Another 5-member group from Casablanca was sentenced to 2 years suspended terms to 5 years in jail, mainly for criminal association, robbery attempt, activities within a non-recognized association and non authorized public meetings.

Over 2,000 people have been judged by Moroccan courts in the framework of the anti-terrorist law, enacted on the morrow of the May 16 terrorist attacks perpetrated in Casablanca, killing 45 people, including the 12 suicide bombers, and injuring scores of others.