image sourced from original article at A Moroccan appeals court has upheld the eight-month prison sentence of 23-year-old rapper Souhaib Kabli, known as L7assal, over songs and social media posts criticizing corruption and Morocco's normalization of relations with Israel.
Kabli was convicted of 'insulting a public body' and 'undermining the respect due to constitutional institutions' after his arrest in March. Prosecutors had sought penalties that could have resulted in up to four years in prison.
His lawyer argued that the artist had merely expressed his opinions and had no intention of insulting any institution or individual, calling the ruling an error of judgment. A Moroccan human rights organization condemned the prosecution, describing it as a political move aimed at restricting freedom of expression.
