The Kénitra Court of Appeal on Friday sentenced the defendant in the case involving the popular artist Khadija, known as “Moulat 88 Gharza,” to two and a half years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a civil compensation of 200,000 dirhams to the victim for the physical and psychological harm she endured.
This ruling follows the victim’s appeal against the decision of the Court of First Instance in Mcherif Belksiri, which had previously sentenced the defendant to only two months in prison, along with a minor fine of 300 dirhams. This light sentence sparked outrage from the victim, who deemed it insufficient in light of the brutality she faced.
The case details reveal that the victim suffered a violent assault with a sharp object that left her with severe facial injuries requiring 88 stitches, according to the medical report attached to her complaint, which indicated a recovery period of 35 days.
The incident, which shocked both local and national public opinion, led the victim to file a direct complaint with the royal gendarmerie in Dar Kaddari. The authorities reacted rapidly, initiating investigations and apprehending the suspect in a short time before referring him to the competent public prosecutor.
The new ruling from the Kénitra Appeals Court has prompted widespread reactions on social media, with many observers considering it a corrective and just step, especially after the initial sentences ignited a wave of controversy and criticism over perceived leniency shown by the judiciary towards the accused in a case that significantly impacted a popular artist known for her connection to the Moroccan audience.
