When Numbers Contradict Accusations: The Authorities’ Response to Khadija Ryadi
A senior security official has firmly denied what he described as “unfounded claims driven by motives unrelated to human rights,” made by Khadija Ryadi and some of her supporters regarding ongoing investigations into recent acts of violence, vandalism, and deliberate arson in certain regions of the Kingdom. According to the same source, these allegations are based on false assumptions and do not reflect the reality of the judicial proceedings underway.
The official emphasized that all individuals detained in connection with these cases have fully benefited from the legal safeguards guaranteed by Moroccan law. He stressed that the legislature has established strict mechanisms to prevent any form of abuse during questioning and to protect the integrity of official reports. In this regard, he noted that detainees personally sign their statements in their own handwriting and include their full identities, adding that it would be illogical to claim forced signatures when the law explicitly allows investigators to record “refusal to sign” in cases of disagreement.
Regarding the sentences handed down to some defendants, the same source stated that those who consider them “harsh” fail to take into account the seriousness of the offenses committed and the aggravating circumstances involved. He reminded that the principle of individualized punishment lies at the heart of the Moroccan judicial system and that the rulings fully respect the legality and proportionality of the prescribed sanctions.
The official also revealed the nature of the crimes committed by certain defendants, citing particularly dangerous acts such as the deliberate burning of occupied vehicles and public buildings, the use of bladed weapons against law enforcement officers, and attempts to attack police stations and bank branches with the intent to commit armed robbery. These offenses, he noted, are punishable by severe sentences that may extend to life imprisonment.
The senior official presented numerical data on the damage caused by these incidents: 289 police officers were injured to varying degrees, while 268 service vehicles — including six cars and several motorcycles — were completely burned. He concluded by affirming that any objective assessment of these cases requires a precise understanding of the facts presented to the courts, and that rumors about the arrest of uninvolved persons have no legal basis. He stressed that the investigations relied on scientific, technical, and digital analyses to lawfully identify the real perpetrators of the criminal acts.