The criminal chamber of first instance of the Casablanca Court of Appeal sentenced, on Tuesday, April 16, Achraf R., known to media as Ould Lefchouch ('spoiled child'), to the death penalty for the premeditated murder of Badr Bouljoihel, local media reported. The court found Achraf R. guilty of premeditated murder with accompanying crimes, attempted premeditated murder, participation in a robbery, and use of violence. Amin R., who claimed to be the driver during the incident, was sentenced to life in prison. Accomplices, Abderrafik Z. and Ahmed S. received prison sentences of 25 and 20 years, respectively. Hamid A., who helped the main defendant flee, was sentenced to five years imprisonment. The five accused were arrested for their alleged involvement in Badr's murder on July 30, 2023, outside a fast-food restaurant. A Ph.D student, 23-year-old Badr was fatally beaten during a brawl that began inside the restaurant and then escalated to the parking lot, where he was struck by the main suspect's car. The main accused was apprehended in Laâyoune on June 31, 2023, where he had fled after the incident. Badr was celebrating the obtention of his visa to Canada with friends when the altercation occurred. Security guards intervened initially, but the confrontation continued in the parking lot, leading to the tragic outcome.
