فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The National Bar Association of Morocco has officially submitted a criminal complaint before the Turkish judicial authorities against Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, on charges of inciting hatred, calling for violence, glorifying terrorism, and insulting His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This legal step responds to a series of provocative posts on the X platform (formerly Twitter) deemed offensive toward Moroccan institutions and calling for “the fall of the regime.”
Details of the Criminal Complaint
The association announced in a formal statement that it filed the complaint on October 27, 2025, relying on Turkish Penal Code articles, including articles 125, 216, 312, 314, 220/6-7, and 340. According to lawyer Mourad Al-Ajouti, head of the association, the posts explicitly call for “uprising” and “overthrowing the regime” in Morocco, comparing the current political situation to revolutions that toppled regimes in other countries, along with direct insults aimed at His Majesty the King.
The complaint indicates that these statements go beyond the boundaries of free expression and are classified as direct incitement to chaos and disruption of the constitutional order, risking national stability. Article 340 of the Turkish law, which penalizes publicly insulting a foreign head of state, underscores Turkey’s diplomatic commitment to protecting the sovereignty symbols of allied countries.
Controversial Posts
The complaint focuses on tweets recently posted by Karman on her official account @TawakkolKarman, which has over 1.2 million followers. In one tweet dated October 24, 2025, Karman wrote: “(The swords of injustice are feared at night / and idols are glorified in ruins / Our nation is humiliated by a single individual / sheep are not led by someone like him),” clearly referencing the Moroccan monarchy. She also expressed her support for “peaceful revolutionary struggle” to overthrow the “failing, corrupt, and despotic regime,” and in another tweet dated October 25, explicitly supported the “انتفاضة المغرب” and “the great Moroccan people’s revolution to overthrow the regime.”
These statements, which garnered thousands of reactions, were described in the complaint as “not just political opinion, but incitement to rebellion and terrorism,” especially amid recent social tensions in Morocco.
Context and Official Objectives
The association emphasizes that these procedures do not target freedom of opinion but aim to protect constitutional symbols and national stability. It stresses that “freedom of expression cannot be an excuse to promote violence or insult sovereignty symbols.” It also points out that Karman, as an international figure awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting peace, bears greater responsibility in avoiding incitement. The association calls on Turkish authorities to open an immediate investigation, interrogate the accused, and take necessary measures if she enters Turkish territory, relying on judicial cooperation between the two countries in combating cyber terrorism.
For Moroccan lawyers, this complaint represents a precedent in addressing inciting calls via social media, which often go beyond political criticism to attempts to undermine legitimate institutions. The choice of the Turkish judiciary is due to Karman’s residence in Istanbul, where she obtained Turkish citizenship, making her subject to local laws.
Summary
This case highlights increasing tensions surrounding the role of international figures in internal affairs of states, focusing on the limits of freedom of expression in the digital communication era. While public opinion awaits the developments of the Turkish investigation, this event rekindles the debate on how to confront cyber challenges to national stability.
Keywords: Tawakkol Karman, National Bar Association of Morocco, criminal complaint, incitement to hatred, insult to King Mohammed VI, Turkish judiciary, freedom of expression.
