A recent report from the National Observatory for Crime revealed that Moroccan courts have recorded 784 cases related to the disrespect of the national flag and contempt of national symbols over the past twenty years, involving 999 defendants. This accounts for only 0.8% of the total crimes affecting public order.
According to the report, these offenses ranked second in this category, following offenses against public officials, which exceeded 100,000 cases and involved 118,600 defendants, making up 99.2% of the files.
Despite the limited number of cases concerning national symbols, the report notes that the judiciary often tends to intensify prosecution in these matters due to their classification as “symbolic crimes” that affect national identity, territorial integrity, and the constitutional commonality of Moroccans.
