Moroccan Individual Convicted as Opposition Whistleblower - Moroccan Opponent Convicted of Spying Activities
In a recent court ruling in Düsseldorf, Germany, a 32-year-old Moroccan man has been sentenced to 18 months probation for espionage. The target of the espionage was the Moroccan Hirak movement, one of the largest protest movements in the country since the Arab Spring.
The man collected information on two German residents who were supporters of the oppositional Moroccan Hirak movement. His actions may have consequences for his former associates in Morocco, as he betrayed information about them, which could potentially lead to consequences if they were to return to the country.
The Hirak movement, predominantly supported by the Berber ethnic group, aims for better development of the rural Rif region in northern Morocco, an end to police arbitrariness and corruption, and in some cases, the establishment of a republic independent of the Kingdom of Morocco.
The court did not provide details about the nature of the information collected or how it was used. However, the sentencing considered the man's confession and criminal record. Notably, the defendant waived his right to appeal in the espionage case.
The verdict in the espionage case is not yet final. The Federal Prosecutor General has the option to file an appeal with the Federal Court of Justice regarding the espionage case. As of mid-September 2025, the head of the German foreign intelligence service (Bundesnachrichtendienst, BND) is Martin Jäger, who took office on September 15, 2025; however, there is no publicly available information specifying that he or the BND has dealt specifically with the Moroccan Hirak movement.
The country involved in the espionage case remains Morocco. The espionage case took place in Düsseldorf, Germany. This case marks a significant development in the ongoing relationship between Germany and Morocco, particularly in the realm of national security and intelligence.
