Moroccan jailed for 'usurping' king's brother on Facebook

A 26-year-old engineer has been sentenced to three years in prison for “usurping” the identity of the brother of Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Facebook.

Official news agency MAP said a court in Casablanca convicted Fouad Mourtada on Friday of “usurping the identity of HRH Prince Moulay Rachid” and “falsification of computer documents”.

Mourtada’s lawyers said they would appeal. They had sought to have the case thrown out on the grounds that he had been held too long in provisional custody after his arrest on February 6.

Mourtada was also fined 10,000 Moroccan dirhams.

The case has gained widespread attention in the North African kingdom, which has been working to modernise under King Mohammed VI.