Morocco has charged more than 2,400 people over recent youth-led protests that turned violent, a sweeping response to some of the country’s largest anti-government demonstrations in years.
Of the 2,480 charged, 1,473 people remain in custody awaiting trial. Charges included armed rebellion, insulting and using violence against a public official exercising his duties, and incitement to commit felonies.
The demonstrations took Morocco by surprise after a youth-led movement called Gen Z 212 mobilized thousands across the country to protest the state of public services. The movement criticized government spending on infrastructure to host sporting events while neglecting social services.
Though organizers urged peaceful demonstrations, protests turned violent in some cities and towns, leaving three dead, injuring many others and damaging shops and cars.
The wave of arrests has alarmed human rights groups and become an additional rallying cry for demonstrators, who have at recent protests held signs for those arrested for attending protests.
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