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Rabat – The Marrakech Court of First Instance sentenced today French-Algerian comedian Brahim Bouhlel to eight months prison.
The court also sentenced Zbarbooking, a French social media influencer, to one year in prison.
The court’s decision followed the two public figures’ arrest, after footage went viral showing them making offensive comments about Moroccan women and children.
The video depicts Bouhlel, the “influencer,” and French-Algerian actor Hedi Bouchena insulting women by describing them as “easy” and “promiscuous.”
Bouhlel also addressed a group of children shown in the video as “sons of b******,” among other insults.
The footage also shows Zbarbooking repeatedly manhandling the visibly uncomfortable children and forcing them to gesture to the camera.
The video sparked controversy and a social media firestorm among Moroccans, who felt deeply offended by the “unacceptable” slurs, prompting authorities in Marrakech to arrest Bouhlel and his friend.
Hedi Buchenafa left Morocco before the launch of the investigation.
In an attempt to calm the situation before a trial, Bouhlel and the other two figures shared a video in which they apologized to Moroccans.
“My only intention as a comedian was to make people laugh and not to offend the sensibilities of anyone,” Bouhlel said.
