First Hearing for Mouhsine Fikri’s Case Scheduled for February 28

Rabat – Al Hoceima’s Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal has set February 28 as the first sentencing hearing for theeight suspects involved in the case of Mouhsine Fikri. The fishmonger, who was protesting the confiscation of his merchandise by authorities on October 28, 2016, was crushed to death in a trash compactor.

The lawyer for Al-Hoceima’s fishing delegation officials, who have been in custody on charges of “falsification of an official document,” have said that “the Criminal Chamber has finally set the first public sentencing hearing after adetailed investigation,” adding that “it was found that the suspects are accused following their charges.”

Since the death of Fikri, officials from Al-Hoceima’s fishing delegation have been remanded in custody. These officials include a delegate for fishing, the head of the fishing delegation department, the chief of staff of the veterinary department and the driver of the truck.

Al-Hoceima’s investigative judge was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation in December 2016, to determine the results of the case. To that end he embarked on a thorough investigation based on evidence the prosecution accumulated against the suspects involved in Fikri’s death.