Assahafa.com
The Public Prosecutor at the Marrakech Court of Appeal has categorically denied reports of a death during recent events in the Sidi Youssef Ben Ali neighborhood, calling the claim “baseless.”
The denial came after the Marrakech branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights issued a statement, published on the electronic newspaper “Al Marrakechi Com,” alleging a fatality linked to the demonstrations. The prosecutor’s office stated that no deaths occurred during the incidents in that area.
According to the Public Prosecutor’s statement issued today, the confusion stemmed from an unrelated incident involving a street vendor. The man was working on Al Masalla Street when he suffered a sudden medical emergency on October 1. He collapsed near his merchandise display at the Koutoubia location, far from the protest sites.
The vendor was rushed to Charifa Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. His father appeared before the judicial police and the Public Prosecutor’s office, stating he had no doubts about the circumstances of his son’s death. After examination, the body was released to the family for burial.
The prosecutor stressed that this death had “absolutely no connection” to the events in Sidi Youssef Ben Ali. The statement concluded that information circulating to the contrary was “completely unfounded.”
Meanwhile, protests organized by the GenZ 212 collective continue across Morocco, marking one week since they began last Saturday. The demonstrations, calling for improved education and healthcare systems, have been largely peaceful but have been marred by violent incidents in some locations.
Gen Z 212 demands reforms and accountability
Three deaths were confirmed on the night of October 1 in the village of Lqliaâ near Agadir.
According to Interior Ministry spokesperson Rachid El Khalfi, gendarmes opened fire “in legitimate self-defense” when a group attempted to storm a gendarmerie brigade to steal weapons and ammunition. The assailants had set fire to a vehicle and part of the building before the assault.
Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, in his first public statement since the protests began, acknowledged the three deaths and expressed the government’s willingness to dialogue and respond to young people’s social demands.
However, GenZ 212 has issued an open letter to King Mohammed VI calling for Akhannouch’s dismissal, judicial proceedings against those implicated in corruption, and sweeping political reforms.
The Friday letter, addressed directly to the King, presented eight demands grounded in Morocco’s Constitution. These include dissolution of political parties complicit in corruption, guarantees of equality in education and healthcare, protection of freedom of expression, release of peaceful protest detainees, and a public national accountability session chaired by the King.
The group described themselves as “the youth of Morocco carrying the message of a nation.” They expressed frustration with worsening living conditions and said they have lost faith in the government, parliament, and political parties. The collective stressed their commitment to peaceful protest while distancing themselves from violent incidents.
GenZ 212 emerged recently through social media platforms like Discord. The collective describes itself as a discussion space for citizen concerns, including health, education, and anti-corruption efforts. It claims to reject violence and act out of “love for the homeland and King Mohammed VI.”
Source: Morocco word news
