Moroccan Feminist Ibtissame Lachgar Denied Bail Amid Blasphemy Charges
Bail Refused Despite Urgent Health Needs
A court in Rabat has rejected the bail request for Ibtissame Lachgar, a prominent 50-year-old Moroccan feminist and rights activist, who remains in custody on charges of “insulting Islam.” Her legal team had appealed for provisional release, citing her worsening health condition, including a recent cancer diagnosis that requires urgent surgical intervention.
Appearing in court visibly unwell, with her left arm immobilized in a sling, Lachgar’s frail condition alarmed her lawyers. “She requires critical surgery by September. Any delays could result in amputation,” warned attorney Naima El Guellaf. Fellow lawyer Mohamed Khattab added, “She is in a very concerning physical state.”
Social Media Post at the Root of Charges
The case originates from a July post on Lachgar’s social media, where she was seen wearing a t-shirt with the words “Allah is lesbian.” The image was accompanied by a caption criticizing Islam—as well as other major religions—as “fascist, phallocentric, and misogynistic ideologies.” The post sparked a backlash online, resulting in calls for her arrest and a flood of threats, including rape and stoning.
Solitary Confinement and Legal Proceedings
Since August 12, Lachgar has been held at El Arjat prison near Rabat and is reportedly being kept in solitary confinement. “She’s not allowed any contact with fellow inmates,” said El Guellaf. Despite providing the court with detailed medical documentation, the public prosecutor opposed releasing her on medical grounds—a stance the judge upheld. Her next court hearing is scheduled for September 3.
Potential Prison Sentence of Up to Five Years
Lachgar is being prosecuted under Article 267-5 of the Moroccan Penal Code. The statute criminalizes insults or defamation against Islam, carrying a penalty of six months to two years in prison. If committed publicly or via electronic means, the sentence can extend up to five years.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has strongly criticized her ongoing detention, labeling it a “violation of freedom of speech and expression.”
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