Marrakech – A court in the northeastern Moroccan city of Taza has sentenced a man to 15 years in prison for a brutal attack on his ex-wife, Imane, putting an end to a case that shocked the country and reignited debate over violence against women.
The Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Taza issued the verdict on Monday, convicting the defendant on charges of rape, unlawful detention, serious assault and battery, and grievous bodily harm committed with a bladed weapon against a woman.
According to converging reports, the court also ordered the defendant to bear all legal costs, while the victim withdrew her civil claim before the bench.
The attack took place on September 23, 2025. The defendant, Imane’s former husband, assaulted her in a public street in Taza using a bladed weapon, inflicting deep facial wounds that required more than 130 stitches.
Bystanders stood frozen as the assault unfolded. Images and videos of the injured woman spread rapidly on social media, turning the case into a national controversy.
Security services arrested the suspect shortly after the attack. The Regional Judicial Police of Taza referred him to the public prosecutor, noting he had a prior criminal record.
The investigating judge opened a formal inquiry based on a request from the King’s Attorney General, covering charges that included attempted premeditated murder, kidnapping, unlawful detention, and rape.
Speaking after the verdict, Imane said she was satisfied with the ruling and that her mental heath had begun to improve.
She added, however, that her physical wounds had not yet fully healed and that she was continuing reconstructive treatment at a cosmetic surgery clinic in Rabat.
Following the attack, the National Union of Moroccan Women announced it would take charge of Imane’s care, acting on instructions from Princess Lalla Meryem, the union’s president.
The organization enrolled her in a specialized, progressive treatment protocol at a reconstructive surgery clinic in Rabat.
It also provided her with psychological and social support through its “Kolonamaak” platform and confirmed it would accompany her through a broader social and economic reintegration process.
