Court reduces sentences of 31 persons sued under terror law

The appellate court of Rabat reduced Wednesday prison terms of 31 persons belonging to the "Agadir group" who were sued under the anti-terror law.

The anti-terror law was enacted in May 2003 after 12 suicide bombers struck in 5 different locations in Casablanca, causing the death of 45 people (including the 12 bombers) and injuring more than 100.

The court reduced jail terms from 20 to 12 years against 15 defendants who were sued for "conspiracy to prepare and perpetrate terrorist acts, fund-raising for terrorist acts, apologia of terrorism, holding public meetings and making activities within a non-recognized association."

Two accused saw their sentences reduced from 15 to 8 years, while jail terms of five others were cut down from 10 to 6 years.

Sentences were also reduced from 8 to 4 years for 6 defendants, from 6 to 3 years for one defendant, and from 3 to 2 years for two defendants.

The court confirmed sentences against 10 persons condemned to 2 years in jail. Meanwhile, it sentenced one defendant to pay a fine of 3000 Dhs (about US $333).

Following the terrorist attacks in May 2003, more than 2,000 people were detained and charged with terrorism offences.