Family and rights groups reject suicide claim in death of teen shepherd in Midelt

Human rights organizations and the family of 15-year-old shepherd are demanding a full investigation into his death in the rural commune of Aghbalou Serdane, Midelt province, firmly rejecting the initial hypothesis of suicide and accusing a local landowner of involvement.

At a press conference hosted by the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) in Rabat, the “Truth and Accountability Committee”, a coalition of 12 branches from leading rights groups across Drâa-Tafilalet and Béni Mellal-Khénifra, presented their findings and cast doubt on the official narrative.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, human rights activist Kabir Kacha categorically denied the possibility of suicide. 

“What happened was a heinous crime, hidden behind a flimsy lie,” he said. “How can anyone believe a child committed suicide kneeling in a space barely one meter wide? Who dies by suicide in a resting position?” 

Kacha further criticized authorities for failing to preserve the crime scene and prematurely labeling the case as suicide without identifying or pursuing suspects.

He also revealed procedural inconsistencies. 

“They told the boy’s mother that the autopsy would not happen until Friday, yet it was performed on Tuesday without her knowledge or the presence of a family member to verify signs of injury on the body.”

Mohamed’s mother, Toda, who spoke in Tamazight due to her limited command of Moroccan Arabic, insisted her son was killed. 

“At first, we believed the story. But when a photo of his body circulated online, kneeling with a rope around his neck, we knew we’d been lied to.”

She said she has since faced daily threats, including intimidation involving her other children. “I fear even going out to fetch water. The accused owns a firearm,” she said. 

“There are witnesses, but they’re too afraid to speak. My son was not alone; other children were herding nearby. They saw what happened. The accused even asked them to gather Mohamed’s sheep and return them home.”

Rejecting the suicide theory that gained traction after Mohamed’s death in June, she said, “He was happy. He was looking forward to Sunday because I had promised to buy him a bicycle.” 

She recalled that the main suspect had told her, “Your son let his sheep graze in my orchard.” In tears, she added, “They burned my wings.”

Mohamed’s father, also speaking in Tamazight, criticized how the scene was handled. 

“Civil protection refused to move the body until forensic police arrived, recognizing it as a potential crime scene. But the suspect’s brother moved it before handing it to the ambulance.” He also alleged that the accused had bribed people to silence the case. “Everyone knows who the killer is, or who ordered the killing.”