Moroccan journo sentenced
2009-10-27 08:44
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Morocco
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Rabat - A Moroccan court on Monday sentenced the editor of the daily Al Jarida Al Oula, Ali Anouzla, to one year's suspended jail term for having published "falsehoods" about the health of King Mohammed VI.
Another journalist, Bouchra Eddou, was given a suspended sentence of three months in connection with the same affair.
The tribunal also fined Anouzla $ 1 315 and Eddou 5 000 dirhams.
The two journalists have both lodged appeals.
The trial began on September 29, a few weeks after Al Jarida Al Oula published an article saying that "the king's illness has held up the religious talks and his visit to Casablanca".
Anouzla and Eddou were accused of the "ill-intentioned publication of false information, allegations and falsehoods".
On August 26, the royal palace had announced that King Mohammed, 46, had been placed in convalescence for five days because of a viral infection that left "no concern about his health."
That statement was signed by Abdelaziz Maaouni, the king's personal physician.
Journalists in the north African country periodically find themselves in trouble with the courts for their handling of royal matters.
- SAPA