This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7258950.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Moroccan held for Facebook spoof Jail for Facebook spoof Moroccan
(about 13 hours later)
A Moroccan computer engineer is due in court in connection with a fake Facebook profile set up in the name of a member of the royal family. A Moroccan computer engineer has been sentenced to three years in jail for setting up a Facebook profile in the name of a member of the royal family.
Fouad Mourtada, 26, was arrested on 5 February on suspicion of stealing the identity of Prince Moulay Rachid, younger brother of King Mohammed VI. Fouad Mourtada was arrested on 5 February on suspicion of stealing the identity of Prince Moulay Rachid, younger brother of King Mohammed VI.
He has been in custody ever since his arrest in Casablanca. The Casablanca court also ordered Mr Mourtada, 26, to pay a $1,300 fine.
A website supporting Mr Mourtada has published a letter addressed to the prince apologising for the incident. The prosecution had urged the court to impose a sentence which set an example for others.
The letter, which is said to come from Mr Mourtada's family, asks for clemency. Mr Mourtada was convicted of "villainous practices linked to the alleged theft of the [prince's] identity".
In his defence, he said he admired the prince, and that the Facebook entry was just intended to be a bit of fun.
'Beaten unconscious'
A website supporting him published a letter addressed to the prince apologising for the incident.
The letter, reportedly penned by Mr Mourtada's family, requested clemency.
"Fouad Mourtada, like thousands of people who create fake profiles of well-known personalities or celebrities on Facebook, has in no way acted in a willingness to cause nuisance to Your Highness, for whom he has always shown the greatest of respect," the letter on the Help Fouad website reads."Fouad Mourtada, like thousands of people who create fake profiles of well-known personalities or celebrities on Facebook, has in no way acted in a willingness to cause nuisance to Your Highness, for whom he has always shown the greatest of respect," the letter on the Help Fouad website reads.
He is accused of "villainous practices linked to the alleged theft of the [prince's] identity".
Earlier this week some Moroccan bloggers went "on strike", suspending their regular blog entries for 24 hours in protest at Mr Mourtada's detention.Earlier this week some Moroccan bloggers went "on strike", suspending their regular blog entries for 24 hours in protest at Mr Mourtada's detention.
Mr Mourtada's court appearance was initially set for 15 February, but was postponed for a week.
According to the website, he told family members who visited him in jail that he had been blindfolded and beaten unconscious at the time of his arrest.According to the website, he told family members who visited him in jail that he had been blindfolded and beaten unconscious at the time of his arrest.