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.