فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The Sefrou First Instance Court ruled on Thursday to impose a four-month suspended prison sentence on six defendants involved in the recent events at the Ahremmou weekly market in Sefrou Province. Meanwhile, another defendant, who was prosecuted while on bail, was acquitted, according to local sources.
According to a statement from the Sefrou branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, the six detainees will be released from the local prison in Sefrou following the court’s verdict.
The incident occurred on March 10 during protests over rising prices, particularly fish, which exceeded 20 dirhams per kilogram, according to local sources. The situation quickly escalated into violence and looting, targeting poultry and vegetable stalls, forcing traders to shut down their shops.
Security forces intervened to contain the unrest, leading to several arrests. Those detained were later brought before the court, which issued its rulings on Thursday.
Heavy Charges Against Protesters in Sefrou’s Ahremmou Market Over Price Hikes
The judicial body of the misdemeanor division at the Sefrou First Instance Court has scheduled March 20 as the trial date for seven defendants involved in the recent unrest at the weekly market in Rabat El-Kheir (Ahremmou). The events erupted early last week due to rising prices, according to local sources.
The prosecution decided to detain six defendants while allowing the seventh to remain free pending trial. The case originated from complaints filed by fruit and vegetable traders, who reported that their goods were vandalized and looted, prompting the Public Prosecutor to launch a criminal investigation.
Investigations revealed that the defendants face serious charges, including “inciting chaos, damaging private property, and urging criminal acts,” in addition to “civil disobedience and resisting public authority.” The inquiries also uncovered that one individual had broadcast a live video of the events containing unverified accusations, allegedly to incite public outrage and defame authorities.
It is noteworthy that 14 individuals were initially arrested following the protests, with seven later referred to the prosecution. The court decided to hold six in pretrial detention while releasing one on bail.
Widespread Boycott of Ahremmou’s Monday Market in Sefrou Due to High Prices and Lack of Oversight
The “Monday Ahremmou Market” in Sefrou Province recently witnessed a widespread boycott by residents protesting soaring prices, particularly the cost of sardines, which reached 20 dirhams per kilogram. This surge sparked widespread discontent, with citizens deeming the increase unjustifiable given the current economic hardships.
In response, residents demanded that market traders leave, expressing their refusal to accept such inflated prices. They blamed intermediaries for these excessive increases, which have surpassed the purchasing power of ordinary citizens. Protesters also called on the government to take immediate action to regulate prices and restore market stability, citing a lack of effective oversight and coordination between regulatory authorities.
Protesters urged the implementation of strict measures to curb this issue, particularly by regulating intermediaries who drive up prices without justification. They also called for setting reasonable profit margins to ensure market stability and protect consumers’ purchasing power.
Notably, many products are sold at lower prices from their sources but reach consumers at significantly higher rates due to the involvement of multiple intermediaries and the lack of proper controls. This situation has led to market instability, raising concerns about the sustainability of fair trade practices in the region.
Source: Fes News Media
