In a huge shock to anything Facebook-related, prankster Fouad Mourtada of Morocco decided to create a Facebook account under the name of King Mohammed VI’s brother, Prince Moulay Rachid. A court in Casablanca handed down a 3-year jail term alongside a fine of 10,000 dinar (US$1300) for “the use of false information and usurping the identity of the prince.” Amnesty International has spoken out in favor of Mourtada. Benedicte Goderiaux, a member of the group investigating the case, explained that “the sentence is disproportionate to the offence.”
Mourtada had clearly committed a never-before-seen Facebook offence and since it concerns royalty, it is all the more serious. The real reason, of course, was that King Mohammed VI was concerned that his brother would make more Facebook friends than him–a frightening possibility that could throw monarchical heirarchy into complete disarray.
Big brother is going to get you… on Facebook!
Said Lara,
On February 25, 2008 at 7:26 pm: