Moroccan cartoonist tried for caricatures of King Mohammed VI

A 22-year-old Moroccan cartoonist, author of caricatures deemed offensive to the king according to an NGO, appeared Wednesday before the Casablanca court of first instance, said a source within the prosecution. Yasser Mounbir was arrested three months ago, said the prosecutor's source on condition of anonymity. The prosecution decided to prosecute him for “contempt of a constitutional institution by electronic means”, as well as for contempt of public officials, according to the same source.

The proceedings were initiated after the publication by Mr. Mounbir, on Instagram, of caricatures representing King Mohammed VI, explained to AFP Hakim Sikouk, head of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), who is following the case closely. Mr. Mounbir appeared without a lawyer, due to a national strike by the profession for several weeks.

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He nevertheless insisted on his right to be defended, which led the court to postpone the hearing until September 21, according to the prosecution's source. Yasser Mounbir asked to be allowed to appear free, which was rejected, said Mr. Sikouk. Article 179 of the Moroccan Penal Code punishes “defamation, insult or invasion of the private life of the king” and provides for penalties ranging from six months to two years in prison. These penalties can be doubled when the acts are committed electronically.