Showbiz

This 17-year-old rapper was jailed for three months for 'immoral' lyrics

Othman Atiq, aka Mr Crazy, is a 17-year-old rapper from Casablanca
Othman Atiq, aka Mr Crazy, is a 17-year-old rapper from Casablanca

A teenage rapper from Morocco who was imprisoned for three months for lyrics which were said to “offend a state institution” and “harm public morality” is set to be released from jail today.

Othman Atiq, aka Mr Crazy, raps about life in Casablanca where youth unemployment is extremely high and is the second Moroccan artist to be jailed in recent years, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The Moroccan government sent the wrong message by prosecuting a rapper like Mr Crazy for peacefully expressing his views.

Jailing a 17-year-old for his songs hardly makes sense in a country that regularly hosts international music festivals and human rights conferences.

  • Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director for HRW
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