The Rabat Court of Appeals has postponed the trial of fans arrested over disturbances during the Africa Cup of Nations final, originally scheduled for Monday, until April 13, while considering the case “ready for trial.”
The decision followed a request from the fans’ defense lawyers, who sought additional time after two new attorneys joined the legal teams, one from the Casablanca Bar representing French fan E.M., and another from Italy representing one of the Senegalese supporters.
During Monday’s session, the defense requested sufficient time to review case files and prepare for the next hearing, which will mark the third session in the appeals process.
Jouad Bennaisi, a Casablanca Bar attorney representing the French fan, told Hespress that “the postponement to April 13 comes after new colleagues joined the defense teams. Our client’s defense now includes a second Moroccan lawyer, while the Senegalese supporters are assisted by an Italian attorney. This development requires time to study the files and coordinate with our clients, who have been in detention since January 18.”
Bennaisi also noted that a previous request for release had been denied. “We believe the continued detention of our client is disproportionate to the charge of throwing a water bottle, especially after he was acquitted of four other charges,” he said.
The initial trial at Rabat’s primary court resulted in prison sentences ranging from three months to one year and fines between 1,200 and 5,000 dirhams for 19 fans involved in the unrest. The group included a French national of Algerian origin.
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