Casablanca court hands 7-year sentence for human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minor

A woman identified as Aicha T. was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Casablanca on Tuesday for human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a minor.

The case, which originated in Dar Bouazza, involved multiple charges including drug use, facilitating drug use by others, armed robbery, participation in the rape of a minor under 18 resulting in defloration, and human trafficking involving sexual exploitation of minors.

The presiding judge, Ali Tershi, oversaw the trial, which also involved Azeddine T., who was charged but subsequently acquitted of sexual assault against a minor.

The public prosecutor described the main defendant’s actions as serious crimes constituting human trafficking, highlighting that she had brought a minor to be presented to clients, exploiting her vulnerability and young age. The prosecutor emphasized that all elements of human trafficking were present, including mediation, sheltering, and luring of the victim. Statements from the victim and her brother corroborated the charges.

In her defense, Aicha T.’s lawyer argued that the minor herself committed the alleged theft and denied that the defendant had committed the armed assault, asserting it was a reaction to an attempted sexual attack by the co-defendant. The defense also claimed that the sexual exploitation charge did not apply, noting that the minor had reportedly been living on the streets and using drugs for two years prior.

Despite these arguments, the court found Aicha T. guilty of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a minor, while acquitting her co-defendant of sexual assault.