Authorities arrest four people involved in shocking transphobic attack in Tangier

Moroccan NGOs and activists are condemning a brutal transphobic assault that occurred this week in Tangier, North of Morocco, calling for adequate punishment against the perpetrators.

Soon after, Tangiers authorities arrested four people, an adult, and three minors, between the ages of 13 and 24, on suspicion of their involvement in the public lynching of a transgender victim.

In a joint statement, multiple activists and minority defense groups said that upon contacting the victim, a trans woman going by the name “Haifa,” they learned that while trying to hail a cab along with two friends on the streets, they were harassed by someone who stole a hat from over one of the victims’ head.

While trying to retrieve it, Haifa was beaten by a group of men and minors, as they yelled transphobic, homophobic, and indecent slurs at her.

The victim, unable to defend herself against the mob, ran from the group of aggressors, who then followed her while hitting and beating her, refusing to let her go.

Haifa was visibly stripped of her clothing, wig and belongings during the attack, and was sprayed with a chemical to the eyes.

“This is what homosexuals deserve,” shouts one of the aggressors in the video, as the victim is heard in the background screaming for help.

The aggressors spared no part of the victim’s body while she was on the ground, beat to the head and face, before the intervention of a number of older men, who intervened to end the assault.

Footage of the brutal attack circulated on social media, with many speaking out against the aggression and calling for the urgent involvement of law enforcement.

Activists allies of the LGBTQ community in Morocco say that this incident sheds light on the constant fear and terror gay and trans Moroccans experience every day, as they are considered by many easy targets with little to no protection.

As of this time, the adult suspect is being kept under police custody, while the minors are kept under police supervision.

Authorities are still investigating the assault under the supervision of the competent Public Prosecution, to determine all the circumstances of the disturbing incident.