Moroccan justice has just sentenced a young cartoonist, author of caricatures of Mohammed VI, to four years in prison for “insulting the king”. Known for his committed paintings, the 22-year-old graffiti artist was arrested in June. His lawyer gave details of the conviction on Sunday and announced the filing of an appeal.

Published on: 02/11/2026 - 12:04

Arrested in June, the artist Yasser Mounbir, known for his political paintings, was sentenced Friday to four years in prison for "insulting the king", his lawyer said on Sunday, November 1. Tried at first instance in Casablanca, Yasser Mounbir will also have to pay a fine of 40,000 dirhams, or 3,600 euros. His counsel, Me Farouk Mehdaoui, announced that he would appeal.

The 22-year-old graffiti artist was found guilty of “insulting the king” and “insulting public officials”. He was detained after drawing and posting caricatures of the King of Morocco on his Instagram account. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) demanded his release.

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“A continuation of the criminalization of peaceful artistic expression”

For his support committee, “these accusations formulated in vague terms have already been used in other cases linked to freedom of expression”. In a petition published online this summer, the "Free Yasser" collective recalled that it was "for his art" that Yasser Mounbir, an artist known for his committed graffiti which addresses social, political and human rights issues, was arrested. “His arrest is seen as a continuation of the criminalization of peaceful artistic expression,” we read in this document.

Article 179 of the Moroccan penal code prohibits "defamation, insult or attack on the private life of the king", and makes them punishable by six months to two years in prison. The penalty may be doubled if disseminated electronically. In 2023, the kingdom's justice system sentenced Saïd Boukioud, an Internet user, to five years in prison for insulting the monarchy, after he criticized diplomatic normalization with Israel on Facebook.

In Morocco, human rights defenders have called for the repeal of laws they say restrict freedom of expression, as well as for pardons of people convicted for social media posts.

Also read Attacks on freedom of expression in Morocco: “Condemned to silence?”

With AFP

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