Overview

• Judges in Rabat on August 27 rejected Ibtissame Lachgar’s request for provisional or medical release, keeping her in detention before trial.
• Her lawyers say she needs critical cancer surgery in September and warn doctors have raised the risk of amputation if it is not performed, submitting medical records to the court.
• The hearing was adjourned to September 3 after additional defense lawyers joined, and AFP reported she appeared fatigued and wore a brace on her left arm.
• Lachgar was arrested on August 10 after posting a late-July photo on X of a T-shirt reading “Allah is lesbian,” an offense that can carry up to five years in prison when committed publicly online under Moroccan law.
• Support has mobilized in Morocco and France, with groups including Les Chiennes de Garde and the Charlie Hebdo editorial team backing her as debate grows over religious offense laws and free expression.