The Rabat Court of Appeal has postponed the appeal trial of Algerian TikToker Raouf Belkacemi, who was previously sentenced to three months in prison by a lower court.
The delay occurred during a scheduled appearance on Monday when Belkacemi’s legal representation was absent due to a nationwide lawyers’ strike, prompting the court to reschedule the hearing for a later date.
Belkacemi was originally sentenced on January 19 to a three-month term and a 500-dirham fine following charges of public indecency and making remarks deemed contrary to public morals and order. These charges stemmed from incidents in Rabat during the round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the defendant allegedly filmed and live-streamed shocking images on social media. Although he was initially released after an arrest at the stadium, he was taken back into custody following the emergence of additional videos.
The TikToker has been held at El Arjat 1 prison in Salé since January 12 as he awaits the continuation of his appeal. His case reflects a broader trend of strict judicial oversight in Morocco regarding public order, highlighted by the recent sentencing of another Algerian supporter in Marrakech to eight months for publicly tearing a Moroccan banknote.
MK/AK/Sf/fss/abj/APA