Rabat, December 29: A Moroccan appeals court on Monday upheld punishments given to two journalists for falsely reporting that the North African nation’s King Mohammed VI was sick, a judicial official said.
The Rabat court confirmed jail terms and fines handed down at a hearing in October.
The editor of the daily Al Jarida Al Oula, Ali Anouzla, was given a one-year suspended jail term, while journalist Bouchra Eddou was also handed a suspended sentence of three months.
The tribunal fined Anouzla 10,000 dirhams (883 euros, 1,270 dollars) and Eddou 5,000 dirhams.
The trial began on September 29, a few weeks after Al Jarida Al Oula published an article saying that the king was too sick to participate in religious talks and visit 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 had been placed in convalescence for five days because of a viral infection but said there were no fears for his health.
Journalists in the north African country periodically find themselves in trouble with the courts for their handling of royal matters.
—Agencies