Rabat - Moroccan human rights organizations have expressed disappointment and dismay at the court decision in Agadir, when they sentenced a pedophile to a mere 8 months in prison.
On Monday, a 65-year-old shop owner in the region of Taroudant received an 8-month prison sentence for child abuse and sexual harassment, even though soliciting minors and sexual abuse of children are punishable by up to 30 years in jail under the Moroccan Penal Code.
The suspect had allegedly repeatedly sexually harassed a 10-year old girl who lived in the same neighborhood as he did.
The suspect was arrested last week after the victim’s mother reported him to the police in Taroudant and filed a lawsuit against him.
The shop owner has reportedly admitted to abusing the girl in his shop, and taking naked pictures of her. He also admitted that he had blackmailed his victim by threatening to post her pictures on social media if she told her parents.
Moroccan associations have condemned the ruling of the Court, describing it as a step back in the fight against pedophilia and sex abuse in Morocco.
Salah Eddine Guenaoui head of the association “Nahmi Weldi” (Protect My Child) which was an intervenor in support of the victim expressed both his disappointment and anger at this light ruling.
Speaking to Alyaoum24, Guenaoui described this court ruling as encouraging pedophilia and sex abuse in Morocco.
He called for an appeal, saying the court should hand down a harsher sentence against the convicted pedophile to ensure justice is served for the benefit of the 10-year old girl.
Salah Eddine Guenaoui went on to add that the victim attended the trial and appeared deeply troubled psychologically. He points out that she will receive psychological treatment on Wednesday in the Hospital of Moukhtar Soussi, Taroudante.
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