Rabat – A Moroccan court of appeal is set to announce its verdict in the case of three defendants who were found guilty in the first-instance ruling of killing a 19-year-old man in Tiznit, a city 95.6 kilometres from Agadir.
The appeal trial will take place on Wednesday this week, and the family of the victim believes the judiciary will uphold the sentences against the perpetrators to ensure justice and accountability.
The case dates back to August 27, 2025, when Ilyass was killed in the area of Ain Zarka in Tiznit, while he was on his way to deliver dinner to a friend who was injured due to a road accident.
While on his way to carry out this act of support to his friend, he was stopped by individuals who tried to steal the food and his motorcycle and physically assaulted him.
In a previous interview, his mother, Khadija, said Ilyass returned home and decided to go to the police to file a complaint against the perpetrators.
However, when he was on his way to the police station, he met with some of his friends in a car who offered to go with him to the site where he was robbed and assaulted to peacefully address the situation.
‘Nothing will bring my son back’
Sahli’s mother, Khadija, told Morocco World News (MWN) that the situation led to a confrontation that escalated into a violent attack, where Ilyass sustained fatal injuries.
“He was found in critical condition, and despite the arrival of the ambulance, he passed away at the scene due to the severity of his wounds. Initial investigations confirmed that the attack was motivated by theft,” the mother told MWN.
Police arrested the suspects and opened a judicial investigation to determine the circumstances.
Heartbroken and with a shaky voice, Khadija described her son as calm-natured and of good character.
“He had no record of problems or conflicts and was a well-liked student. His sudden loss left deep sorrow and shock among his family, friends, and the residents of the city.”
Last year, the Criminal Chamber of the First Instance at the local court found three defendants guilty of killing Ilyass.
The court’s first instance verdict found A.D guilty, sentencing him to life imprisonment. He was, however, acquitted of the charge of attempting to set fire to an unoccupied vehicle.
A.F and A.D. were sentenced to 25 years in prison each.
M.H and A.M were acquitted of the charge of assault, but received two months of suspended imprisonment.
Ilyass’s mother is determined that justice will be upheld in her son’s case.
“I believe that the Court of Appeal will follow the path of the Criminal Chamber of First Instance, and we remain hopeful for a fair ruling,” she said.
She is, however, still broken and shattered by her son’s killing, stating that nothing will bring him back.
“But at least it may ease some of the pain and heartbreak of losing my son. I am waiting with great hope for justice, God willing, because the criminal acts are well-established, and I have full confidence in the fairness of the judiciary to honor the memory of my son Ilyass,” she told MWN.
