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Rabat — A Rabat tribunal rejected Tuesday the provisional release request for feminist activist Ibtissam Lachgar, who faces charges of “attacking the Muslim religion.”
The court postponed the hearing until next week despite defense lawyers’ claims that their client’s health condition requires urgent medical attention.
The second hearing took place under heightened security measures. Authorities imposed strict access controls to the courtroom, conducting systematic searches, banning bags, and separating men and women.
Officials directed journalists to a reserved area, reflecting the tension surrounding this case.
Lachgar, a prominent figure in the Alternative Movement for Individual Freedoms (MALI), faces serious accusations that have reignited debate over freedom of conscience and expression in Morocco.
Health concerns mount
The activist appeared weakened in court, wearing a jellaba and a light headscarf, with a bandage covering her left shoulder. Her defense team said she suffers from a serious lesion that requires urgent surgical intervention, as she risks partial amputation of her arm.
“Our client has cancer and her condition worsens,” said attorney Naima El Gallaf, a member of the defense collective. The lawyers stressed the need for provisional release to allow immediate medical care.
The prosecution rejected the request, citing respect for the legal framework and judicial requirements. The tribunal decided to postpone the ruling on provisional release until next week’s hearing.
Prison conditions under scrutiny
This delay worries the defense team, which warns of medical risks if doctors do not perform the operation within the required timeframe.
Beyond the medical emergency, the defense team condemns the conditions of the activist’s incarceration.
Lachgar reportedly remains in isolation and cannot participate in collective walks. Her lawyers describe the treatment as “an attack on dignity” and demand better healthcare in detention.
Constitutional questions emerge
Beyond Lachgar’s personal case, this trial raises broader questions. Morocco’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, but the Penal Code maintains provisions related to religion, morality, and public order.
The case revives national debate about criminalizing opinions and the place of individual freedoms in a country seeking a balance between tradition and openness.
MALI, which Lachgar helps lead, advocates for progressive social reforms and individual rights in Morocco.
The organization has previously campaigned for issues including gender equality and personal freedoms.
The next hearing will determine whether the court grants provisional release for medical reasons or maintains Lachgar’s detention as the blasphemy case proceeds through Morocco’s judicial system.
