Feb 24 β€’ 04:47 UTC 🌍 Africa RFI Afrique (FR)

A 'Gen Z 212' activist from the diaspora arrested and prosecuted in Morocco

A 'Gen Z 212' activist, Zineb El Kharroubi, who campaigned in France, has been arrested and is currently on trial in Morocco for her social media posts.

In Morocco, Zineb El Kharroubi, a 28-year-old activist part of the 'Gen Z 212' movement, faces legal action after being arrested upon arrival at the Marrakech airport on February 12. The Moroccan authorities accuse her of 'inciting to commit offenses on the internet' based on her social media posts related to protests that erupted in the kingdom in late 2025. Her activism, which pursued the cause while she was based in France, has made her a target of local judicial processes.

Family members and supporters attended the court hearings, expressing confusion over the charges against her. They argue that the posts in question do not promote violence but merely reposted calls for gatherings in France, highlighting the troubling nature of the case as it raises issues surrounding freedom of expression and the state's crackdown on dissent. This situation reflects a broader trend in Morocco where activists, particularly those connected to the diaspora, are increasingly facing scrutiny and legal challenges for their online activities.

The case of El Kharroubi is significant not only for her personal circumstances but also as an indicator of the Moroccan government's stance towards activism and dissent in the digital age. As the global conversation around freedom of speech evolves, her trial could set precedents affecting other activists in Morocco and beyond, underlining the need for greater protections for those exercising their rights to free expression.

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