A Moroccan court officially rejected a request to release activist Ibtissame Lachgar on bail on Wednesday, her defense lawyer said. Lachgar, a 50-year-old clinical psychologist, faces trial over “offending Islam” because of a controversial online post she made.
Appearing before a judge for the first time, Lachgar seemed tired and was wearing a medical brace on her left arm. Her defense lawyer Naima El Guellaf said that Lachgar is being treated for cancer and requires critical surgery on her left arm in September.
Despite the defense team providing the court with extensive medical documents and guarantees, her request for release was rejected. The controversial activist’s post showed a picture of herself on a T-shirt with the word “Allah” followed by “is lesbian” in Arabic.
The social media post has drawn sharp backlash, with many people calling for her immediate arrest under a provision of the penal code. The law carries a sentence of up to two years in prison for “anyone who offends the Islamic religion,” with an increased penalty if done publicly.
Lachgar has had previous run-ins with authorities, having been arrested in 2016 for disturbing public order and other activism. The trial has been officially adjourned until September 3 after two more lawyers joined the defense team representing the activist.