French influencer jailed in Morocco for criticising local drivers and police

A Marrakech correctional court has just sentenced a Franco-Algerian influencer to a one-year prison sentence for criticising local drivers and accusing police of bribe taking. According to a 24th of June report by The Daily Mail, the court also ordered her to pay a fine of 2,000 DH, which is approximately $200. The defendant, Yass Naubelle, is known online as Y.N. and was identified by her initials O.Y. She was arrested at Marrakech airport on June 13 moments before she was set to board her flight home to France. She remained in pre-trial detention until her swift trial.

The conviction stems from a short video clip that she recently recorded and posted across her social media channels. In the widely shared footage, the influencer criticised the daily driving habits and traffic conditions across Marrakech. She stated, “I’ve never seen people drive like this. It’s super dangerous – cars, mopeds without helmets, with children on board, swerving suddenly.”

The Franco-Algerian influencer then compared Moroccan drivers to Algerian drivers, claiming the latter were far more disciplined. Additionally, she alleged that local police officers tried to illicitly collect money from her for personal gain.

The court viewed her video as “defamatory towards Moroccan citizens” and “outraging to the forces of order”. Yass Naubelle was then found guilty of spreading false allegations to violate individual privacy. The court also convicted her of insulting a legally established public body. Consequently, she must pay all court costs associated with the trial.

The harsh sentence quickly sparked reactions online. Ignacio Cembrero commented on the case. He is a controversial Spanish journalist who knows Morocco well and has clashed with the authorities in Rabat multiple times. According to Cembrero Moroccan officials show zero tolerance for foreign influencers who criticise public institutions. He stated that this heavy sentence serves as a stark warning to the diaspora. He also highlighted the tightening legal boundaries governing free speech within the Kingdom.

Daily Mail/Maghrebi