Family of Murdered Ilyas Sahli to Appeal New Verdicts After Court Reduces Sentences for 2 Defendants

“They will get what they deserve.”

Rabat – The family of Ilyas Sahli, a 19-year-old man who was killed last year, expressed shock over the unexpected verdict of an appeal court that reduced the prison sentences from 25 years to 10 years for two of the defendants found guilty in the case by the first court instance.

The mother of Ilyass Sahli, Khadija, however, has hope that the appeal against the new verdict will reverse the court’s decision.

The court of appeals issued its verdict on the case on Thursday at approximately 2:30 a.m. in the morning.

“God willing, we will appeal this verdict so they can get what they deserve,” the mother said.

The case dates back to August 27 last year, when Ilyass was killed in the area of Ain Zarka in Tiznit. He was on his way to deliver dinner to a friend who was injured due to a road accident.

According to his mother, Ilyas was stopped by individuals who robbed his motorcycle and physically assaulted him.

He returned home and decided to go to the police to file a complaint against the perpetrators. On the way, however, he met with some of his friends who suggested going with him to where he was robbed and assaulted to address the situation.

But the situation quickly escalated into a confrontation, resulting in a violent attack, where Ilyass sustained fatal injuries.

The initial verdict by the Criminal Chamber of the First Instance sentenced the main defendant to life imprisonment. It also handed 25-year sentences to two other defendants.

Thursday’s appeal upheld the life imprisonment for the main defendant, but reduced the 25-year prison sentence to 10 years for each of the other perpetrators.