Rabat – The case of Hanaa B., a female victim of revenge porn whose case went viral in early 2021, appeared before the Tetouan Court of Appeal today June 10.
The victim was arrested last January after a video of her performing sexual acts circulated online. Nicknamed “Moulat Lkhimar,” (the veiled one) the young woman, only 29 years old and mother of two children, was sentenced to one month in prison and a fine of MAD 500.
The jugement was pronounced under articles 488 and 490, respectively relating to indecency and sexual relations outside of marriage.
The video was leaked by her former partner, who was no longer living in Morocco at the time of the leak.
The judge of appeals upheld the initial judgment today, and ordered the extended international search for the man who filmed the video.
Since her release from prison in February, Hanaa B. has refused to make any statements or comments.
Most of the statements the public received from her were spoken on her behalf, notably through Moroccan Outlaws, a collective focused on the improvement of personal freedom legislation in Morocco.
The group supported the young woman throughout her legal battle. Today, members of the collective were waiting outside the courthouse in support of the victim.
“We are satisfied that Hanaa will not return to prison,” a spokesperson for the collective said.
“We were hoping that today’s hearing could have been an occasion to implement the spirit of the law, to do justice to Hanaa by acquitting her, and restore a little consideration and dignity to her person.”
The unwitting leak of the video was denounced by civil society, and the case amplified the debate around individual freedoms in Morocco.
Public opinion was initially divided, between those who spoke up against her arrest, and some claiming that she was subject to the law of the land and was not a victim of any wrongdoing.
Today, most people agree that, although the laws under which Hanaa was detained, judged and arrested are in dire need of review, the public’s conscience will not rest until at least the other party involved in this controversy is held to the same legal standard.
