YouTuber “Ould Chinouia” Sentenced to 3 Years, Fatima Bint Abbas Receives 2 Years
Moroccan YouTubers Sentenced to Prison
Casablanca, Morocco - Two Moroccan YouTubers, Reda El Bouzidi (known online as “Weld Chnouia”) and Fatima Bent Abbas (“Bent Abbas”), have been sentenced to prison by the Ain Sebaa Court in Casablanca. El Bouzidi received a three-year sentence, while Bent Abbas was sentenced to two and a half years. The sentences, handed down late Monday night/early Tuesday, follow their arrests and subsequent trial. While the exact charges haven’t been detailed in readily available English sources, the case highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by online content creators in Morocco and across the MENA region, where freedom of speech and expression online are often contested.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Governments worldwide are grappling with the rapid evolution of online platforms and the challenges they pose to traditional media regulations. According to a 2023 report by Freedom House, internet freedom has been declining globally for 12 consecutive years. Many countries, including those in the Middle East and North Africa, have implemented laws that can be used to restrict online content and punish dissent. These laws often target vaguely defined offenses like “spreading false news” or “insulting public officials,” leaving considerable room for interpretation and potential misuse.
The case of El Bouzidi and Bent Abbas resonates with similar instances of YouTubers and social media influencers facing legal repercussions for their online activities. For example, in 2020, Egyptian TikTok influencer Haneen Hossam was sentenced to prison on charges of “inciting debauchery” for posting videos encouraging women to join a live-streaming platform. These cases raise important questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the need to regulate online content, particularly in culturally sensitive contexts.
While the specific details of the charges against El Bouzidi and Bent Abbas remain unclear pending further reporting in English-language media, their sentencing underscores the potential risks faced by online content creators in Morocco. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the legal frameworks governing online speech will undoubtedly continue to be a subject of debate and contention. It remains to be seen how this case will impact the broader conversation surrounding online freedom of expression in Morocco and beyond.
Keywords: Morocco, YouTubers, Prison Sentence, Reda El Bouzidi, Weld Chnouia, Fatima Bent Abbas, Bent Abbas, Ain Sebaa Court, Casablanca, Online Content Creators, Freedom of Speech, Internet Freedom, MENA Region, Social Media, Censorship, Digital Rights.
