Moroccan court upholds convictions of Hirak protesters

A Moroccan court rejected an appeal against prison sentences against activists protesting corruption and unemployment.

Dozens of people rose in front of the Casablanca court to demand the immediate release of the prisoners before the trial.

Authorities accused the militants of being separatists.

The protests shook the North African country in 2016 and 2017 after the death of a local fishmonger.

Mohcine Fikri was crushed to death by a garbage truck in the city of Al-Hoceima while he was trying to protect his fish, which had been confiscated by the police.

His death in October 2016 sparked a wave of anger as thousands of people took to the streets accusing authorities of abuse of power and corruption.

The so-called Hirak movement has spread to the entire northern Rif region and about 400 people have been arrested, attracting new protests.

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In June 2018, the courts sentenced the leader of the movement, Nbader Zefzaki, to 20 years in prison, with the same sentence for activists Oubadim El Boustati and Samir Ghid. Others were sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

The courts have now dismissed the appeal against the convictions.

The relatives of those arrested allegedly chanted "corrupt state" and "long live the people" in court after the decision was announced.

Mr. Zefzaki was a finalist in 2018 for the Sakharov Prize, which rewards people who fight for human rights.

A group of MEPs on Wednesday sent a letter to the Moroccan Minister of Justice urging the country to immediately release Mr. Zefzaki and the other detained protesters.