It was on November 1 that rapper Mohamed Mounir, known by the artist name Gnawi, was arrested by Moroccan police. The arrest is according to Moroccan authorities that Gnawi has offended the Moroccan police in a video he posted online at the end of October, which in Morocco could lead to up to two years in prison.

On Tuesday, Gnawi was sentenced to fines and a year's imprisonment on these grounds, several media reports, including The Guardian magazine, reported.

Re-debated music video

But according to Gnawi's fans, the verdict is a way to punish the rapper for his regime-critical song "Long live the people", released just days before Gnawi was arrested, and which has become a viral success. The music video has over 15 million views on Youtube.

Amnesty international is now facing sharp criticism of the Moroccan court and demands that the judgment be set aside.

“This is a disgraceful judgment. It is not justified to imprison Gnawi for a year just because he exercised his right to freedom of expression. The Moroccan authorities must cancel the sentence and immediately release him, "Heba Morayef, director of Amnesty International in the Middle East and North Africa, said in a press release.

"No crime"

According to Amnesty international, the actions of the Moroccan authorities are a sign that the government does not hesitate to bring in those who openly criticize the regime.

"Expressing criticism of the police or the authorities is not a crime. International law protects the right to freedom of expression - even if the opinions shared are shocking or offensive, ”says Heba Morayef.

Gnawi can appeal the verdict.