Moroccan Activist Ibtissam Lachgar: Prison & “Allah is Lesbian” Case
Moroccan Feminist Activist’s Blasphemy Trial Postponed Amid Health Concerns
Rabat,Morocco - The trial of Ibtissam “Betty” Lachgar,a 50-year-old Moroccan feminist and LGBTQ+ activist,has been postponed for a week by a rabat court. Lachgar faces blasphemy charges after posting a photo on social media on July 31st showing her wearing a t-shirt with the slogan “Allah is lesbian” written on it.Lachgar will remain in pre-trial detention near the Moroccan capital.Her defense team’s urgent request for provisional release, citing her cancer diagnosis and deteriorating health, was rejected by the Prosecutor’s Office.According to the Digital Portal Hespress, Lachgar’s lawyers presented evidence to support her release, arguing that she is being held in isolation without justification, preventing her from interacting with other inmates. This isolation, they contend, is negatively impacting her cancer treatment. The defense also emphasized the importance of respecting her presumption of innocence.
The defense team highlighted that Lachgar has been undergoing oncological treatment for several years and requires specialized medical and psychological care. Furthermore, she is scheduled for urgent surgery on her left hand in September, where she has a partial prosthesis. Lawyers argued that without the surgery, she risks losing the use of her hand entirely.
Lachgar expressed her gratitude for the support of Moroccan and international activists who attended the trial. Her case has sparked protests at Moroccan consulates in Madrid, Barcelona, Algeciras, and other European cities.
Khadija Ryadi, a prominent human rights leader, has been a vocal supporter of Lachgar.