Morocco: 7 jailed in fishmonger murder case

Seven people, including officials from the Moroccan Fisheries Authority and the Interior Ministry, were jailed yesterday after being found guilty of manslaughter in the case of the Moroccan fishmonger who was crushed to death in a rubbish truck last year.

The men were also handed fines. A further four defendants were acquitted in the case of the death of fishmonger Mouhcine Fikri, according to the local prosecution.

Fikri, 31, was killed on 28 October in the city of Al-Hoceima during protests against the authorities’ seizure and destruction of some fish that had been caught out of season. His death sparked nationwide protests.

The court issued its ruling yesterday, after trying 11 people on charges of manslaughter.

In a statement reported by the MAP news agency, the prosecution said those sentenced to prison also faced fines of $55, while four of the suspects were acquitted.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office appealed against the ruling issued after a trial lasting only two days. The court granted Fikri’s parents an unspecified amount of compensation.