The public prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Errachidia has confirmed that the preliminary autopsy results of Mohamed Bouislikhen, a minor found hanged on Monday, June 16, near a waterway in Douar Ait Zaarour, in the Aghbalou n'Serdan commune, Midelt province, indicate that his death was caused by strangulation with a rope, with no signs of sexual or physical assault. This finding contradicts claims circulated on some social media platforms. According to an official statement, the public prosecutor ordered a thorough judicial investigation upon the discovery of the body. As part of the probe, the judicial police interviewed several individuals, including the victim's parents, and conducted the necessary forensic tests and sample collections to determine the exact cause of death. While the statement ruled out signs of violence, it emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that appropriate legal measures will be taken once all findings are reviewed. The case has deeply shocked the local community. Human rights organizations, including the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) and the Moroccan Center for Human Rights, have called for a transparent and impartial investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the child's death. They have rejected the suicide hypothesis, drawing attention to the vulnerability of rural children, especially shepherds, who face marginalization and social neglect. Prior to the prosecutor's statement, the victim's family held a peaceful protest in front of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rabat, supported by the AMDH's local branch. They demanded truth and accountability in what they view as a case that raises serious concerns about child protection in rural Morocco.
