The Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Tangier handed down a verdict on Tuesday, sentencing a 16-year-old to 15 years in prison for the murder of a young girl named Hidaya. The horrific crime involved luring the child, sexually assaulting her, and abandoning her body in a deserted area of Ksar El Kebir. The tragic events unfolded on September 30, 2025, when the family of the 6-year-old victim reported her missing. After an extensive search, her body was discovered, showing signs of brutal physical violence and sexual assault. Investigations quickly pointed to a neighbor of the family as the suspect. Surveillance footage and fingerprint evidence led to his arrest on the same day. During initial questioning, the accused confessed to the crime. The verdict has provoked outrage from the victim's mother, who had been calling for the maximum possible punishment. In an emotional video statement, she expressed her desire for a death sentence or life imprisonment for her daughter's killer.
