فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a highly anticipated legal proceeding attracting attention from Canadian legal and media circles, the trial of defendant Hicham Girando began today, October 28, 2025, before the Montreal Municipal Court. He faces charges of threatening to cause death or bodily harm to former Attorney General نجيب بنسامي. This judicial action is part of a series of lawsuits filed against Girando in Canada and Morocco. Girando, a Moroccan businessman residing in Montreal, faces both criminal and civil accusations related to defamation and incitement to violence. This report outlines the case details, legal basis, potential penalties, and the broader context of multiple ongoing proceedings, aiming to raise awareness about legal accountability in such sensitive cases.
Legal Basis of the Charges and Key Facts
The Canadian prosecution bases its case on section 264.1 (1) (a) (ii) (b) of the Canadian Criminal Code, which criminalizes any threat intended to harm or endanger individuals, directly or indirectly. The alleged threats date back to May 30, 2023, when Girando posted incendiary statements on his YouTube channel calling for the “execution” of بنسامي and “resurrecting him only to execute him again.” Alongside these, he shared personal photos and details of بنسامي and his family, actions considered incitement to violence by extremists. These statements triggered an official investigation resulting in charging the defendant under the “summary procedure” (procédure sommaire), a Canadian legal process for rapid adjudication of misdemeanors without a jury trial.
بنسامي, who served as Attorney General at Casablanca’s Court of Appeal and participated in investigations concerning the events of May 16, 2003, described these statements as “false and irresponsible,” causing moral and psychological harm. The current session is expected to hear defense arguments, possibly claiming the statements were political opinion, versus the prosecution’s response emphasizing their seriousness as incitement to crime.
Potential Penalties and Broader Judicial Context
Such threats are classified as serious misdemeanors under Canadian law and can, if convicted, lead to imprisonment for up to 18 months, fines, or alternative sanctions such as judicial supervision or prohibitions on contacting the victim. This proceeding is part of multiple lawsuits against Girando, who owns a clothing company in Montreal and was a board member of a local trade association.
In Canada, he was fined CAD 119,000 in July 2025 for defamation in a case involving a Moroccan lawyer and faces another civil suit for CAD 2 million filed by بنسامي seeking moral and punitive damages. In Morocco, Girando was sentenced in absentia in May 2025 to 15 years in prison on charges of forming a terrorist gang and inciting the assassination of بنسامي, with ongoing procedures against alleged accomplices. Legal observers follow these cases closely, given their professional sensitivity, especially involving a former judicial figure like بنسامي, who currently serves as an adviser in the Moroccan Ministry of Justice.
Significance of the Case in the International Context
This trial highlights challenges relating to online hate and incitement to violence amid the proliferation of digital platforms. It also reflects cooperation between Canadian and Moroccan authorities in combating such crimes, with dual complaints filed by بنسامي in May 2023 leading to parallel proceedings. As the trial continues, the ruling is expected to bolster deterrence against incendiary statements while preserving freedom of expression within legal limits.
Conclusion
The trial of Hicham Girando in Montreal represents a significant milestone in international justice, where the defendant faces strict accountability for his incendiary statements. As legal proceedings unfold, authorities reaffirm their commitment to protecting individuals and institutions from threats, strengthening confidence in the judicial system. Updates will be provided as developments arise.
Keywords: Hicham Girando trial, Montreal, threats against نجيب بنسامي, Canadian Criminal Code, defamation, incitement to terrorism, October 28, 2025, summary procedure.
