Morocco’s judicial police reportedly arrested activist Ibtissame Lachgar after a photo of her wearing a T-shirt with words blasphemous to God spread online.
Lachgar, a controversial feminist and activist, appeared in a photo wearing a shirt that read:” Allah is a lesb***.” The photo sparked uproar in Morocco and beyond, with many calling for a thorough investigation and her immediate arrest.
Converging reports said that judicial police quickly responded to online reports, stating that all necessary legal measures would be applied.
A statement attributed to the Public Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance in Rabat announced Lachgar’s arrest
“The Public Prosecutor’s Office has ordered an investigation into the matter. Due to its necessity, the woman concerned has been placed under judicial custody by the law,” the statement said.
Former Minister of Justice Mustapha Ramid was among the Moroccans who reacted to the controversial and heinous act.
While he is not in favor of over-monitoring speech, Ramid recalled that there should be zero tolerance for insults and offensive remarks toward a religion. He added that Morocco has laws and institutions to protect its sacred values.
“I recall the provisions of Article 267.5 of the Penal Code, which protects the unifying constants enshrined in Article 1 of the Constitution,” he said.
The law punishes anyone involved in offending Islam with a prison sentence of between six months and two years in prison as well as a fine.
