Morocco court sentences 8 to jail for ‘thirst protests’

By Ammar al-Ayyoubi

RABAT (AA) - A Moroccan court on Tuesday sentenced a handful of people to brief jail terms for taking part in demonstrations earlier this month.

Eight people were sentenced to between two and four months each behind bars for “assaulting state employees” during protests that broke out three weeks ago in Morocco’s southeastern city of Zagora.

Dubbed the “protest of thirst”, city residents hit the streets on Oct. 8 to demand supplies of fresh drinking water.

The demonstration was quickly dispersed by security forces who detained 21 young protesters, eight of whom were later charged with “insulting and assaulting public officials”.

“Today’s sentences are preliminary and are still subject to appeal,” defense lawyer Mohammed al-Masoudi told Anadolu Agency.

Earlier this month, Moroccan King Mohamed VI ordered the formation of a special committee -- headed up by Prime Minister Saadeddin al-Othmani -- tasked with finding a solution to chronic water scarcity in several parts of the country, especially in Zagora.

Last week, Charafat Afailal, minister delegate in charge of environment, visited the city of Zagora, where she vowed to find a solution to the country’s water problem.