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Morocco jails 17 for violence on fringes of youth protests

Morocco jails 17 for violence on fringes of youth protests
MENA
1 min read
Mass youth-led protests erupted last month with calls for reforms to public education and healthcare, after eight pregnant women died at a public hospital.
The rallies have been largely peaceful, though some nights have seen spates of violence and vandalism [ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT/AFP via Getty Images]

A Moroccan court handed 17 people prison sentences ranging from three to 15 years for violence on the fringes of youth protests in the kingdom's south, local media reported on Wednesday.

Citing judicial sources, the Le360 news site reported that the court of appeal in Agadir jailed the people for setting vehicles on fire, damaging property and blocking roads with barricades.

The sources said the incidents took place in Ait Amira, near Agadir.

Mass youth-led protests erupted last month in the usually stable North African country with calls for reforms to public education and healthcare, after eight pregnant women died at a public hospital.

The protest movement, known as GenZ 212, is a newly formed collective on the Discord web platform whose founders remain unknown.

The rallies have been largely peaceful, though some nights have seen spates of violence and vandalism.

Three people were killed in clashes with security forces earlier this month, while police have made dozens of arrests.

GenZ 212 has appealed directly to King Mohammed VI to deliver reforms.