The defense of the main accused in the murder of the two Scandinavian tourists in Imlil (El Haouz province) renewed its request to have them undergo a medical examination, at the hearing on Wednesday before the Criminal Chamber in charge of terrorism cases at the annexe of Sale's appeal court. During this hearing devoted to the prosecution's case and the pleadings of the defense of the plaintiff, the accused and the State, the defense designated in the context of legal aid, considered that the perpetrators of this crime are «abnormal and schizophrenic», given that their heinous act cannot be committed by normal persons. The lawyers requested the annulment of the judgment at first instance and called on the court to conduct medical examinations on the main defendants to ensure their good mental health. The representative of the public prosecutor's office requested confirmation of the death sentence against the three accused of the murder of the two tourists, as well as an increase in the sentence of the fourth accused from life imprisonment to the death penalty. The court decided to continue, next Wednesday, the hearing of the defense arguments of the other defendants. Last July, the first instance court gave verdicts against the 24 individuals implicated in this case ranging from 5 years in prison to death penalty. They were standing trial over the charges of «setting up a gang to prepare and commit terrorist acts, premeditated endangering of people's lives, possession of firearms and attempt to manufacture explosives in violation of the law, as part of a collective project aimed at seriously undermining public order».
