Moroccan bloggers react to Facebook fraud case
2008-02-26
Maghreb bloggers discussed the arrest of Moroccan Fouad Mourtada, accused of impersonating Moroccan Prince Moulay Rachid on his Facebook profile.
 [helpfouad.com] The family of Fouad Mourtada has launched a website in an effort to prevent further punishment of the 26-year-old Facebook user, who was sentenced to three years prison for creating a profile in the name of Prince Moulay Rachid. |
A group of Moroccan bloggers went on a 24-hour strike last Tuesday (February 19th), in solidarity with Fouad Mourtada, hoping their action might spare him punishment.
Mourtada, a 26-year-old from the small south-eastern locality of Goulmima, was charged with impersonating Prince Moulay Rachid on Facebook. On February 22nd, he was convicted of identity theft and sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay a 10,000-dirham fine.
"[I] did not send any message from that account to anyone…the account was just a joke; a gag… I never thought that by creating a profile of his highness prince Moulay Rachid I am harming him in any way," stated Mourtada on helpfouad.com, a website launched by his family.
Larbi described the trial as setting "an unacceptable precedent: we can now pursue any internet user".
"Fouad's only mistake … is to be born in wrong place of the world…Horrible!" blogged Larbi in reaction to the verdict.
Larbi apologised to Fouad's family that the bloggers' solidarity and 24-hour strike "did not serve him". "Today," he added, "I am ashamed of this country!"
"I've lost faith in Morocco and the entire Moroccan justice system," wrote Myrtus. "I am a second generation Moroccan-Dutch citizen, and I am a traditionalist. I've always been proud of my Moroccan roots and I've always respected Morocco's constitutional monarchy as an integral part of our national unity and a great source of pride, and held it in high regard. This is the first time in my life that I can honestly say, that sense of pride has been diminished," added the blogger.
In a post entitled "The Cruelty Principle", Eatbees wrote, "Shouldn’t young people be able to say what they like on the internet, even if it is foolish? Isn’t that what youth is about? If I were Prince Rachid, I would feel ashamed to hear that Fouad had been abducted by the police, slapped around for 24 hours, prevented from contacting his family for a week, then brought to trial on trumped-up charges, all to protect my good name.
In his reaction, Lionne d'Atlas wrote that if he were a judge, he would know "the Minister of Justice did not offer me the right training to dive into technology law. I would have humbly admitted the specificity of this law, which is more one of computer specialists than of jurists."
"I always hoped that my country would be first in something," offered blogger Lady Zee, "no matter the distinction."
"But today, Morocco is the first country to have put a citizen in jail for Facebook. Here I have my distinction. Once again we have succeeded to make ourselves noticed for the wrong reasons," she concluded.
"I am closing my Facebook account," blogged Un MacUser a Marrakech, "for two reasons. One, I am fed-up with social networks... I prefer to meet my friends in reality. Two, in support of Fouad Mourtada. This affair has darkened Morocco's image in the international community, and it is not going to stop," he added.
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Maître Posted 2008-02-27
Generally speaking, there are legal loopholes in the Maghreb. Is His Royal Highness, Moulay Rachid a trademark?... Obviously not! So, we cannot accuse this young web-surfer for infringement!!! I just think Moroccan courts should show greater independence and not blabber on about the rule of law in the penal code. Obviously, passing “virtually” for His Royal Highness does not constitute a criminal offence. (Unless, that is, Morocco’s legislation planned for provisions against electronic identity theft, but then, where would the interest in legislating on this point come from?)
Jihane Posted 2008-02-27
My sister has been living in London for eight years. She is married to a Moroccan and has two daughters. She knows a lot of people in Morocco. Her husband and her are going through financial troubles right now. My sister wishes to work to help her husband provide for the daily needs of their daughters. Please, tell me what she needs to do. -Jihane
جزائري Posted 2008-03-05
The worst inflictions make you laugh- what have they to do with someone registered in Facebook under name, forgetting basic things and prosecuting young people on the net? There is no power and no will but from God.
مريم Posted 2008-03-06
We all support our brother Fouad because the case doesn't deserve torture and prison. We are in a country whose slogan is democracy and calls for the freedom of expression and opinion!!!
مغربية Posted 2008-03-10
We, the Moroccan people, support Fouad because this case isn’t considered a one of public opinion that could triggers so much debate. This person who has been subject to injustices deserves freedom. I consider that this judgment isn’t fair.
mohamed amrir Posted 2008-03-13
This website is wonderful.
مغربية Posted 2008-03-13
Thanks to this great Maghreb site which unites the words of the Arab Maghreb. Concerning the brother Fouad, our hearts are with you. Even if he made a mistake in usurping the identity of Prince Moulay Rachid, justice was not fair with him. This is an ordinary case and doesn’t deserve 3 years. We hope he will be pardoned so that we can show that Morocco is a pure democratic country. Peace and mercy of God on you.
emmy Posted 2008-03-14
I do not see anything wrong or something unfair with what he did. In any case, any web-surfer has the freedom to choose the pseudonym he prefers. Furthermore, Fouad likes this pseudonym and, moreover, he did not do anything. If he had done something wrong, then no one would be able prove that was really El Amir who said it: everyone knows that the pseudonym chosen does not truly reference the person named.
moroccan Posted 2008-03-14
this is not hgoing anywhere, such stupidiy in taking judgements is coming up from a primitive thinking, and this is out of hand because unfortunately normal people cannot have the change to feel they can run faster as they know barriers are there to stop at anytime, and eveywhere. Well this is not a policy of democracy. We should print democracy in our minds first then on papers, then put it into action. Thank you!
khalil Posted 2008-03-16
Please post some news regards Mr. Laafoura and his recent acquittal from charges of corruption, etc.
BEN Posted 2008-03-20
The King pardoned him. Long live the King. Happy Mouled to all Muslims.
marocain de paris Posted 2008-03-24
Stop talking just to breathe hot air. For me this man is a coward because he took the personality of the prince Moulay Rachid but I see that M6 gave you too much freedom... During the era of his father Hassan II, no one opened his or her mouth and now you speak of freedom? We Moroccans aren’t satisfied and we always want more. We need sticks like it was before... We are with you M6, we will give our lives for you and for Morocco... God, nation and king... Long live Morocco. The Sahara is Moroccan. We are ready to give our lives for our country and for our king. May God assist him and assist the Moroccans.
gol Posted 2008-03-27
If human rights mean the right to assume the identity a person, then why not simply assassinate them, rape them, scam them and so on!? Rediculousness doesn't kill! That is a bit like human rights, but in the opposite way. That is to say: it is not on the side of the victims but of the thugs!
zina Posted 2008-04-01
I would like first of all that you hide my e-mail address, so that I don’t suddenly find myself behind bars, wondering... oh country of rule of law and democracy, where were you? and where was your justice when the Prophet, peace and prayers of God be upon him, was offended in Denmark and insulted publicly? or is it because it is the Denmark and he is only a prophet, but this is Moulay Rachid (say his name) and say it with pride. well, may the curse of God be on the shameless. We should have remained illiterate, we have nothing to do with progress or technology and what do we know about internet?
سعاد Posted 2008-04-02
This site is great and unique in its genre.
sawsane Posted 2008-04-04
By God, I am confused. I don’t know what to write or say. Whether Fouad was wrong or the Moroccan law. I support the brother Fouad not….anyway, important despite this
ismail Posted 2008-04-08
[Expletive] the government. They say that our motto is the land of free people. Honestly we must say the repression of free people. I want to say to every Moroccan you mustn’t trust the government, it progresses with orders. When they go it goes, when they say stop it stops. We have tied our donkey among donkeys in order to learn inhaling and braying, meaning to shout out the truth but only learning from what we hear on the road.
mahdi Posted 2008-05-07
We the Moroccan people support Fouad because this case isn’t considered a case of public opinion so that it stirs this controversy. This unjustly treated person deserves freedom, I don’t consider this a fair rule.
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