The Criminal Chamber of the Appeals Court in Tangier issued a ruling on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, sentencing a 16-year-old minor to 15 years in prison. The minor was charged with luring a 6-year-old girl and intentionally killing her after committing sexual assault.
The verdict angered the victim’s mother, who demanded the harshest penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment, which is difficult to achieve due to the defendant’s age.
The victim, Hayat, was the daughter of the defendant’s neighbors in the city of Ksar el Kebir, south of Tangier. This crime shocked public opinion in Morocco due to its heinous nature.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, when a report was made about Hayat’s disappearance. Her body was later found in a secluded area showing severe signs of physical violence and sexual assault.
Judicial police conducted intensive investigations under the supervision of the public prosecutor, which included collecting fingerprints and reviewing surveillance footage. This led to the arrest of the suspect on the same day due to suspicions of his involvement. The suspect confessed to his crime during initial interrogations.
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