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Join on Telegram Rabat – The protester from Oulad Youssef died early Tuesday at the Beni Mellal Regional Hospital from severe injuries sustained after jumping from a water tower during a solo demonstration that lasted 18 days.
The man, approximately 45 years old, had climbed the water tank nearly three weeks ago to stage a sit-in, demanding what local reports described as a new investigation into the death of his father, which he claimed was a murder.
Throughout his protest, he refused to come down despite repeated mediation efforts by local authorities, members of the Regional Human Rights Commission, and his relatives, who sought to persuade him to end his action and address his demands through legal channels.
In a dramatic turn during the standoff, the man reportedly feigned illness to draw the attention of Civil Protection personnel. When rescuers arrived, he took one of them hostage, assaulted him with a bladed weapon, and then pushed him from the top of the tower. The rescuer suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Shortly afterward, the protester himself jumped from the water tower, sustaining critical injuries. He was admitted to the intensive care unit at Beni Mellal Regional Hospital, where he remained for four days before succumbing to his injuries.
Authorities had exhausted all dialogue and persuasion attempts, involving the man’s family, acquaintances, and human rights representatives, to convince him to end the protest peacefully. Officials said he rejected various proposals to resolve the issue through proper legal means.
The Royal Gendarmerie has opened a judicial investigation under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. Officials noted that prosecutors were kept informed of all procedures and interventions throughout the crisis.
Local sources also indicated that the man had exhibited symptoms of psychological distress in the days leading up to and during the sit-in.
