The Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal in El Jadida has sentenced a man in his thirties to 12 years in prison on charges of kidnapping, unlawful detention, and rape, following his arrest under orders from the Public Prosecutor. During his court appearance, the defendant denied the charges, claiming his relationship with the complainant was consensual. He stated that she visited him willingly and stayed overnight in exchange for money. He also alleged that they consumed alcohol and drugs together and that she sometimes helped Mahia, a Moroccan alcoholic beverage distilled from dates, and roll kif and smuggled tobacco. According to Assabah newspaper, the man claimed the complaint was an act of revenge after he ended their relationship, while she insisted on marrying him. However, the judge confronted him with the victim's testimony, in which she reaffirmed her accusations. She stated that she was kidnapped, held against her will, and raped under threat of a weapon. She also said she was forced to consume alcohol and drugs and to engage in violent and degrading sexual acts under threat of death.
