Rabat – The Casablanca Court of Appeal has postponed to February 10 the proceedings in the Badr’s murder after an earlier pronouncement of sentences.
The delay follows the court’s issuance of severe sentences in the case that sent shockwaves across Morocco.
The principal suspect, Ashraf S. had been sentenced earlier to death for premeditated murder and attempted murder, with his accomplices receiving different sentences.
Ahmed R., who admitted to driving the vehicle that struck Badr, was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Two other accomplices had received 20 and 25-year prison terms respectively, while the main suspect’s son-in-law was given a 5-year sentence for helping Ashraf S. escape to Laayoune after the crime.
The court also ordered heavy compensation to be paid to the victim’s family: MAD 500,000 ($49.1k) for Badr’s parents, MAD 100,000 ($9.8k) for his sisters, and MAD 30,000 ($2.9k)for other parties that were affected.
The tragic incident occurred on the night of July 30, 2023, in the parking lot of a Casablanca fast-food restaurant.
In a quarrel between Badr’s group and five suspects, one assailant sent Badr to the ground with a knockout blow.
The suspects, not content with assaulting him, ran his friends over when they tried to rescue him.
The attack was filmed, and the scene went viral as outrage swept Morocco.
At the entrance to the courtroom, Badr’s family welcomed the court’s initial verdict. His sister visibly showed her emotion, saying, “this brings us some relief,” hailing the independence of the judiciary.
The case has attracted significant publicity ever since the footage went into circulation. It now remains to be seen whether the terms of this second trial will be as severe and justly punitive as the initial verdict.
