Morocco: court cuts rapper Maes's sentence from seven years to one
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Bénin Web TV
The Tangier Court of Appeal reduced from seven years to one year in prison the sentence of the French-Moroccan rapper Maes, whose real name is Walid Georgey, according to a verdict delivered on the night of Thursday 5 to Friday 6 November and reported by Bénin Web TV. The criminal appeal chamber dropped the charge of forming a criminal gang against him and upheld one year in prison for the other charges retained.
The artist had been sentenced at first instance on 25 November 2025 for forming a criminal gang, attempted kidnapping and sequestration and incitement to commit crimes and offences. Arrested in January 2025 at Mohammed V airport in Casablanca on his arrival from Dubai, he has spent nearly twenty-two months in detention, more than the sentence now set on appeal.
The sentences of several co-defendants were also reduced: one defendant initially sentenced to ten years saw his sentence cut to four years, while another person prosecuted in the case was acquitted. Maes's release now depends on the execution of the ruling and on the absence of any other procedure likely to keep him in detention.ll
