Court convicts Morrocan rapper over police song

A Moroccan court has convicted a rapper of attacking the image of the security services in a song about police corruption and sentenced him to a year in prison.

Rapper Mouad Belghouat, who goes by the name El-Haqed, or “the enraged,” wasn’t present in the Casablanca court today when the verdict and sentence were handed down.

His defence team had withdrawn from the trial on Monday and no plea was entered on his behalf.

The rapper writes songs about corruption and social injustice and is involved in a pro-democracy movement in the country.

He was charged with insulting state employees and official institutions.

Police had accused Belghouat of posting a song on the internet with photos insulting to police, with one showing an officer with a donkey’s head.