Casablanca — Following the assassination of the Russian Ambassador in Turkey last weekend, the Moroccan Ministry of Interior is warning its citizens that sympathizing with the act, even on social media, could land some in jail.
Casablanca — Following the assassination of the Russian Ambassador in Turkey last weekend, the Moroccan Ministry of Interior is warning its citizens that sympathizing with the act, even on social media, could land some in jail.
According to a communiqué sent to Morocco World News the Ministry of Interior has stated that “given that sympathy and apology for terrorist acts constitutes a crime punishable by law, in accordance with Article 218-2 of the criminal code, an investigation has been initiated by the authorities, under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office, in order to identify the persons involved and to initiate legal proceedings against them.”
“These unacceptable acts of extremism are at odds with the precepts of Islam, which advocates tolerance and rejects all extremism, and are moreover contradictory to the Moroccan societal values of moderation, tolerance and cohabitation,” the statement continues.
Following the announcement that Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov had been killed during an art exhibit in Ankara by off duty police officer Mevlut Mert Atlintas, many had turned to social media to condone and celebrate the act, justifying its political nature as a protest on behalf of Syrians.
Moroccan authorities are, however, clearly see this as an act of “apology for terrorism,” which is illegal under the Moroccan penal code. No word yet on how, exactly, these investigations are to take place and what would, specifically, qualify as an “apology to terrorism.”
