Five-month prison sentence for ‘Avocado Farmer’ following clash with authorities

Developments in the ‘Moul Lavoca’ case before the courts

The criminal chamber of the Court of First Instance in Salé issued its verdict yesterday, Monday, regarding Mohamed Hamrita, widely known to the public as ‘Moul Lavoca’, following the controversial events that took place in the Hancha area of Bouknadel a few weeks ago.

Details of the judicial rulings

The court sentenced the primary defendant, who was in custody, to five months in prison, while his son received a two-month suspended sentence. This ruling follows a legal process initiated after their arrest on charges of resisting public forces while they were performing their duties.

Background of the land dispute

The origins of this case lie in an intense land dispute over communal lands in the Hancha region. Local authorities, supported by public security forces, intervened to execute an eviction and demolition order for a farm used for avocado cultivation. This operation was part of a government project aimed at relocating residents of the area’s shanty towns.

Violent confrontations documented

The eviction operation turned into violent confrontations between the farm owner, his family, and public security forces—scenes that were widely circulated on social media platforms. In the videos, ‘Moul Lavoca’ was seen resisting the authorities with an iron bar, leading to his arrest along with his son. Both were referred to the public prosecutor, who ordered their detention before the son was later released on bail last August.