Moroccan Appeals Court reduces sentences in teen murder case, sparking outrage

A Moroccan appeals court has reduced prison sentences for two men convicted in the brutal killing of a teenage boy, prompting an outcry from the victim’s family and reigniting debate over judicial leniency in violent crime cases.

In a ruling issued Wednesday, the Criminal Chamber of the Laayoune Court of Appeals lowered the sentence of the primary defendant, aged 21, from 30 years to 20 years in prison. The second defendant, who was just shy of 18 at the time of the crime, saw his sentence reduced from 10 years to 6 years.

The court upheld the convictions but amended the sentences by excluding the aggravating factor of joint participation, citing a lack of legal basis for that charge. Both defendants were also ordered to pay appeal-related fees and were informed of their right to file a cassation appeal within 10 days.

The case dates back to a violent assault in the city of Dakhla, where the victim, a teenage boy,  was stabbed multiple times in an attack captured on surveillance video. He later succumbed to his injuries at the regional hospital due to deep wounds inflicted by a bladed weapon.

Police investigations led to the arrest of two suspects: a 21-year-old with a criminal record, and the 17-year-old minor at the time. Both were held in custody and investigated under the supervision of the public prosecutor before being formally charged.

The initial court ruling had sentenced the pair to prison terms and civil compensation totaling 200,000 dirhams (approx. $20,000) for the victim’s family. However, the appellate decision to significantly reduce the sentences has stirred anger among relatives.

Speaking to Hespress, the victim’s father expressed shock and disappointment. “The crime was clearly captured by the café’s surveillance camera. The main witness confirmed everything in court, and the footage leaves no doubt,” he said.

“This is not just a legal matter, it’s a moral one. The reduction in sentence does not reflect the severity of the crime or the devastating emotional toll it has taken on our family,” he added.

He confirmed the family is now preparing to pursue further legal action, including a possible appeal to Morocco’s highest court, in an effort to ensure justice is served and to prevent what he described as “leniency toward a heinous crime that shocked the entire community in Dakhla.”