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Defamation: Noureddine Mediane sentenced to six months in prison
The Court of First Instance in Targuist has sentenced Noureddine Mediane, former president of the Istiqlal parliamentary group, to six months in prison for defamation targeting his party colleague, Rafia El Mansouri.
In addition to the prison sentence, Mediane has been fined 3,000 dirhams and ordered to pay civil damages: 150,000 dirhams to El Mansouri and 30,000 dirhams to her niece, Meriem Ouazzani, whose name appeared in the audio recording that triggered the proceedings. The court cited “insulting and defamatory remarks, accompanied by threats and the dissemination of false allegations against a woman based on her gender.”
The case stems from an audio recording released in March 2025, in which Mediane made comments considered harmful to the personal dignity of El Mansouri and her family. Internal reconciliation attempts within the Istiqlal Party failed, leading the matter to be decided by the judiciary.
The ruling has raised questions about the party’s internal cohesion and the leadership’s capacity to manage conflicts, with potential political repercussions ahead of the 2026 elections. An appeal from Mediane’s defense is expected.
