Rabat – YouTuber Ilyas El-Malki has been sentenced to four months in prison and fined MAD 5,000 ($485) following a verdict from the First Instance Court of El Jadida. The sentencing stems from accusations of hate speech against the Amazigh community, which garnered widespread backlash.
El-Malki, a popular figure with 1.6 million Instagram followers, faced charges after a controversial livestream where he made disparaging remarks about the Amazigh people. In the video, he said, “An Amazigh remains just an Amazigh, with a small and meager brain.” His comments quickly went viral, sparking public outrage.
Many condemned El-Malki’s words as hate speech, while others defended the remarks, claiming they were intended as dark humor. However, cultural and political figures, including Rachid Bouhaddouz, an Amazigh activist, argued that such statements cannot be dismissed as humor. Bouhaddouz emphasized Morocco’s need for unity, stating, “Cultural or regional differences cannot disrupt our cohesion and weaken our sense of belonging.”
The case has also drawn attention to El-Malki’s influence, particularly on his young audience. Plaintiffs’ lawyer Mohamed Almou highlighted the responsibility that comes with such a large platform, raising concerns about the impact of such hate speech on impressionable viewers.
The ruling has reignited attention on El-Malki’s criminal history. Earlier this year, he served three months in prison for assault with a deadly weapon and theft. His recent appointment as captain of Morocco’s team in the Kings League World Cup has also drawn criticism in light of his past actions.
This case underscores the growing legal scrutiny over online content and the responsibility of influencers to consider the consequences of their words, especially when they incite hate and discrimination.
