Rabat – Morocco’s national police department (DGSN) announced on Monday the arrest of 20 suspects under a wide range of charges connected to the crimes that took place during a Casablanca music festival, L’Boulevard, last week.
The police said in a statement that no rape crimes had taken place in the festival, citing a lack of complaints to law enforcement, and a lack of evidence found by them when reviewing local hospitals and public rescue institutions.
The statement came in response to a large number of social media users alleging that sexual harassment and rape incidents took place during the open-access festival.
Following the event, Moroccans on social media were outraged at allegations that a minor was raped and others were forcibly undressed during the event.
In contrast to the police denying that rape crimes transpired during the festival, the event’s organizers announced on Saturday that they are taking the allegations “very seriously” and that they are in the process of launching an official investigation into them.
Among the 20 arrested, six people were charged with public intoxication and alcohol possession, and two were arrested on drug charges. The DGSN list of arrests also includes two individuals apprehended on charges of assault and battery and 10 for theft, according to converging news reports.
L’Boulevard, initially intended as a celebration of Moroccan music artists soon morphed into a public scandal as vandalism and violent acts took place on Friday, during a show by Moroccan rappers.
The festival-goers shared disturbing photos and videos depicting the overcrowding stadium, and rappers continued to perform despite the mayhem and brawls among crowds.
Social media users specifically complained of the fact that anyone was allowed to enter the venue, resulting in the admittance of people carrying weapons and drugs.
The festival fiasco even led to the spread of an online hashtag calling for the ousting of the culture minister.
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