18 Sénégalais «otages» du Maroc : pourquoi le parquet a interjeté appel
While the families had hoped for an imminent diplomatic resolution, the Rabat Public Prosecutor's Office and the civil parties have decided to appeal the judgment convicting the 18 Senegalese supporters. This development prolongs their detention and effectively suspends any possibility of an immediate royal pardon, as such a pardon can only be granted for a final conviction.
According to Patrick Kabou, contacted by L'Observateur, this appeal reflects the Moroccan authorities' determination to take a firm stance. The lawyer explained that "the Moroccan Public Prosecutor's Office is aligning itself with Law 09-09, which provides for much harsher sentences, from three to five years, to secure sports infrastructure in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup." The defense, which had deliberately chosen not to appeal in order to favor mediation, had nevertheless anticipated this possibility by publicizing the severity of the initial sentences, hoping to "deter the Public Prosecutor's Office from increasing them."
Beyond security strategy, social and financial factors also weigh heavily on the case. Police officers injured during the incidents are contesting the financial compensation. "The officers believe that the damages awarded, between 65,000 and 130,000 CFA francs, are derisory given the inability of some officers to return to work," emphasizes Mr. Kabou. Furthermore, the Moroccan public prosecutor's office wants to avoid any perception of impunity or preferential treatment. According to the prosecution, "it would be unjust for foreign nationals to receive more lenient sentences than Moroccans tried for similar acts of hooliganism."
According to the source at the Groupe Futurs Médias newspaper, the Public Prosecutor's Office aims to establish a "zero tolerance" policy towards sports violence in the lead-up to the crucial hearing on Monday, March 16.
Commentaires (4)
Participer à la Discussion
Règles de la communauté :
💡 Astuce : Utilisez des emojis depuis votre téléphone ou le module emoji ci-dessous. Cliquez sur GIF pour ajouter un GIF animé. Collez un lien X/Twitter, TikTok ou Instagram pour l'afficher automatiquement.