A human rights lawyer says 11 activists arrested during a labor protest for chanting anti-monarchy slogans have been convicted of illegally demonstrating and sentenced to up to a year in prison.
Mohammed Sadkou said today's verdict by a Casablanca court against the 11 young activists from the pro-democracy movement called "February 20" were charged with attacking police and demonstrating without a permit.
On April 6, thousands demonstrated against the government's austerity program. They were joined by the activists who chanted slogans against corruption and Morocco's monarchy.
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Five of the demonstrators received a year in prison, four six months, while the remaining two were just fined USD 600 and given suspended sentences.
The February 20 movement staged large demonstrations calling for greater democracy in 2011 but has since seen its support wane.
