A Moroccan court has reduced the prison sentence of former human rights minister Mohamed Ziane from five to three years, his lawyer confirmed Thursday. Ziane, 82, has been detained since 2022 and was already serving a three-year sentence in a separate case.
Ziane, once president of the Rabat Bar Association and leader of the Moroccan Liberal Party (PML), was convicted of embezzling and squandering public funds. The charges stemmed from funds the PML received during its 2015 electoral campaign. Ziane was initially sentenced to five years in prison in July 2024.
Despite the reduction in his sentence, Ziane’s lawyer, Ali Reda Ziane, argued that it remained harsh and called for his client’s acquittal, insisting there was no evidence of embezzlement.
It is unclear whether the two sentences will be served concurrently or consecutively. In the original case, Ziane faced additional charges, including contempt of public officials, defamation, adultery, and sexual harassment.
Ziane has consistently maintained that his detention is politically motivated, claiming it is a consequence of his outspoken criticism of Morocco’s authorities, particularly the intelligence services.
The case has drawn attention due to Ziane’s long-standing opposition to the government and his advocacy for human rights, making his legal battles a focal point of political discourse in Morocco.