Rabat – Moroccan YouTuber Hicham Jerando, who currently lives in Canada, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Criminal Chamber of the Rabat Court of Appeal.
The ruling was made in absentia on Thursday, with Jerando convicted on charges related to terrorism, cybercrime, and inciting violence.
According to converging local reports, Jerando is accused of creating a terrorist group that aimed to seriously disturb public order through online campaigns involving threats and manipulation on social media.
He has also been using his platform to spread conspiracy theories and misinformation about Morocco’s monarchy, including claims of a “silent coup” and alleged threats to Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan.
The case began in early March after a woman filed a complaint saying she had been blackmailed and threatened on the messaging app WhatsApp. Morocco’s National Judicial Police (BNPJ) launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of five people close to Jerando in Casablanca, including his sister and his 15-year-old niece.
Authorities believe Jerando’s relatives helped him carry out his actions by providing him with digital tools and participating in the production of defamatory videos.
In addition to terrorism-related charges, those involved face accusations of spreading false information, making threats, attacking public institutions, and insulting a lawyer. Investigators also reportedly found technical evidence of money transfers linked to these activities.
Jerando’s sister and niece were reportedly released on March 10 this year under certain conditions, while the investigation continues.
