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Two newspaper journalists get "disproportionate" sentences for libelling a parliamentarian

(RSF/IFEX) - The trial of Ahmed Reda Benchemsi, managing editor of the independent weekly "Tel Quel", and Karim Boukhari, the paper's news editor, for libelling a legislator was "unfair" and the sentences handed down by a Casablanca court on 15 August 2005 - a two-month suspended prison term, 1 million dirhams (approx. US$112,000; 91,000 euros) in damages and a fine of 2,500 dirhams (approx. $US280; 228 euros) - were "disproportionate," RSF said.

"We are outraged by the severity of these sentences," the organisation said. "Moroccan newspapers should not have to fear prison sentences when libel actions are brought against them. Allowing such a threat to hang over journalists is contrary to international press freedom standards. Furthermore, the rights of the defendants were not respected in this trial."

The defence lawyer told RSF he was unable to present a proper defence at the trial and described the verdict as biased. He added that "it is strange that the sentences were issued now because the courts are supposed to be on vacation in August and they normally issue decisions solely on urgent matters."

The libel suit was prompted by an article entitled "A Brunette's Secret" that Boukhari wrote for issue 184 of the weekly. It described the career of a woman "from the Middle Atlas region," identifying her by a pseudonym, "Asmaa", "so she would not claim she was being libelled." The article said she began as a "cheïkha" (popular dancer) and ended up becoming a legislator. The suit was brought by parliamentarian Hlima Assali, who assumed she was the target.

Boukhari told RSF the article was merely a humorous piece and pointed out that it did not name the parliamentarian who filed suit. He and Benchemsi have decided to appeal.