Moroccan court jails rapper for eight months over criticism of country’s Israel ties

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — A Moroccan court sentences a rapper known for his criticism of the country’s ties with Israel and government corruption to eight months in prison, the latest in a string of penalties against young musical artists.

Souhaib Qabli’s songs sharply criticize Morocco’s 2020 decision to normalize ties with Israel in an accord brokered by the first Trump administration. His lyrics also call out problems with public services and restrictions on freedom of speech, grievances also voiced by Morocco’s Gen Z protesters last year.

The judge ruled Thursday that Souhaib Qabli, a 23-year-old rapper, was guilty of insulting a constitutional body, his attorney, Mohamed Taifi, tells The Associated Press. Qabli, who is a member of Al Adl Wal Ihsane, a banned but tolerated Islamist association, was also fined $106.

“The court did not clarify what it meant by a constitutional body. No specific party was identified in the case file, and there are many constitutional institutions,” Taifi says.

Taifi says that his client is appealing the verdict. He also says Qabli was cleared of other charges, including insulting public officials and disseminating false allegations.