Moroccan editor faces jail over cartoon
The editor of a Moroccan newspaper faces a possible prison term for publishing a satirical cartoon accusing the king of corruption.
Ali Lmrabet is accused of insulting the king and is also alleged to have undermined the monarchy and the territorial integrity of Morocco in his colourful, hard-hitting weekly newspaper, Demain. The charges were put at a one-day trial last week and the verdict is due today. If he is convicted and jailed, it would mark a significant backward step in the liberalisation of the press in Morocco over recent years, according to observers. The charges are based on a cartoon showing anonymous people receiving bags of cash from royal messengers, in reference to the lack of parliamentary control over civil list money paid to the king from state coffers. A photomontage, which shows the young king being carried on a traditional bridegroom’s litter, has also been produced as evidence against him. – Guardian, Editor faces jail for lampooning king.