فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Guelmim – November 22, 2025
The Court of First Instance in Guelmim city issued a judicial ruling sentencing the defendant known as “B. B.”, originally from Assa-Zag province, to two years effective imprisonment and a financial fine of 10,000 dirhams, in addition to court costs, in connection with his prosecution on charges related to burning the Moroccan national flag and praising the “Polisario” organization, according to judicial platforms.
According to the judicial platform, the defendant appeared in a video clip that spread on social media, showing him publicly burning the national flag while expressing admiration for the “Polisario” organization, sparking a wave of widespread condemnation in local public opinion, which described the act as “unpatriotic” and undermining national territorial unity and state sovereignty.
Context of the Incident and Ruling
The incident dates back to the video’s publication in the context of media and social campaigns promoting separatist theses, with the person concerned accused of attempting to incite discord and distort the image of national unity. Initial investigations conducted by security authorities confirmed the video’s authenticity and its connection to the defendant, who was referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Guelmim Court of First Instance on charges including insulting national symbols and inciting discrimination or hatred, according to the provisions of the Moroccan Penal Code (Article 267 of the Penal Code, relating to insulting national symbols).
The ruling came after trial sessions that heard witness testimonies and technical expert analyses of the video, focusing on the negative impact of the act on social cohesion in the Guelmim region, which is an integral part of the national territory and contributes to strengthening African integration and the political solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue.
Reactions and Implications
The incident sparked public anger in the region, with civil society associations and local political figures expressing their categorical rejection of any attempts to play on the chord of division, emphasizing that such acts constitute an assault on territorial unity and national values. Local authorities also called for strengthening civic awareness and education about the dangers of digital incitement, especially given the spread of social media.
This ruling is part of a series of strict sentences issued by southern courts, such as those related to riots in Guelmim in late September and early October 2025, where 16 defendants were sentenced to prison terms of up to 15 years on charges of vandalism and incitement. The decision confirms the judicial system’s commitment to the principle of rule of law and protection of national symbols, in a context where Morocco is witnessing strengthened territorial unity and regional development within the framework of royal programs.
