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Marrakech – The administration of Al Arjat 1 local prison has rejected allegations circulating on several websites regarding the detention conditions of Ibtissame Lachgar, the feminist activist serving a 30-month sentence for offending Islam.
In a formal statement, the prison noted that Lachgar had undergone shoulder surgery before her incarceration on August 10, 2025, and submitted supporting medical documents upon admission. Since then, she has received 33 medical examinations – 19 inside the facility and 14 at external hospitals, including psychiatric consultations.
The prison disclosed that Lachgar was scheduled for surgery at Moulay Youssef Hospital on March 12. She refused in writing, citing psychological reasons and a preference to consult her personal physician abroad. She also deemed the proposed procedure inadequate for her care needs.
On allegations of restricted access to books, the administration clarified that Lachgar receives reading material regularly from the prison library, her family, and her lawyer. She has obtained 111 books from her family alone, in addition to numerous titles from the facility’s collection.
She was awarded the prison’s best reader prize, having read over 100 books during her detention. No title has been withheld, except one novel deemed to contain indecent content.
The administration also denied claims of inadequate sleeping arrangements, confirming that Lachgar has access to sufficient mattresses and blankets. It reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the dignity and legal rights of all inmates.
The rebuttal came as Lachgar’s support committee raised concerns over her health. At a press conference in Rabat on Thursday, her lawyers and relatives warned of a serious and potentially life-threatening deterioration.
Hakim Sikouk, president of the Rabat section of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), described her condition as “very concerning,” pointing to the risk that her arm prosthesis may require amputation if not replaced – a procedure he maintained has still not been carried out. He attributed this to poor conditions in detention.
Her attorney, Ghizlane Mamouni, argued that a royal pardon on humanitarian grounds remains the only viable option. With a cassation appeal still pending, any request for an alternative sentence is blocked.
Mamouni warned of a “risk of complications and death,” referring to assessments from physicians who reviewed Lachgar’s medical file. The committee had already raised similar alarms in March.
Widely regarded as a radical activist and a prominent figure in Morocco’s individual freedoms circles, Lachgar is considered to be influenced by FEMEN, the Ukrainian-born feminist movement known for its provocative protest tactics.
She was arrested in August 2025 after a photo surfaced on social media showing her wearing a blasphemous T-shirt bearing the inscription “Allah is les****.” The image triggered a wave of public backlash and political condemnation.
The Rabat Court of First Instance convicted her on September 3, 2025, handing down two and a half years in prison and a 50,000-dirham fine for “offense to the divine” under Article 267 of the Moroccan Penal Code.
Her defense team’s request for provisional release – citing cancer and the risk of hand amputation – was rejected. The Rabat Court of Appeal upheld the verdict on October 6, 2025.
Read also: ‘What is Ibtissame Lachgar’s Crime?’: Kacem El Ghazzali Questions Morocco Blasphemy Sentence at UN
