Moroccan opposition figure and former minister Mohamed Ziane, already serving a three-year prison term, has now been sentenced to an additional five years.
This harsh punishment, which his lawyer and son, Ali Reda Ziane, calls a “life sentence for an 81-year-old man,” stems from allegations of embezzlement and squandering public funds related to the 2015 electoral campaign funds of the Moroccan Liberal Party (PML), which Ziane founded and led.
The former president of the Rabat bar association, Ziane has been a vocal critic of Moroccan authorities, particularly targeting the intelligence services. His outspoken nature has landed him in hot water, leading to numerous legal troubles. Ziane maintains that his legal woes are politically motivated, insisting that he is being punished for his opinions rather than any proven criminal activity.
Since November 2022, Ziane has been detained following an appeal that extended his sentence to three years. Now, with this additional five-year sentence, his lawyer plans to appeal, arguing that the evidence against Ziane is insufficient and the charges are politically charged.
The new charges follow a complaint from the interior ministry, accusing Ziane of contempt of public officials and justice, defamation, adultery, sexual harassment, and other offenses. The same case saw the PML treasurer and a party administrative employee receive prison sentences as well.
This controversial sentencing raises questions about the intersection of justice and politics in Morocco, casting a spotlight on how dissenting voices are treated by the authorities. Is Ziane being justly punished for financial crimes, or is this a calculated move to silence a prominent critic? As his legal team prepares to fight the ruling, the world watches to see if justice or politics will prevail.
