Supporters of 20 February Movement marked 2-year anniversary since birth of movement. Rapper Mouad Belghouat, jailed since May 2012, conducted hunger strike 4-13 Feb to protest detention conditions and detention of some 70 movement activists. 6 sentenced to 1-2 years prison 27 Feb for anti-govt protests in Dec 2012. Country’s largest Islamist opposition movement 5 Feb warned of increasing risk of “serious popular revolt”.

Protests over rising commodities prices that began late Dec continued into early Jan, several arrested. Authorities 19 Jan announced al-Qaeda recruitment cell dismantled.

Strikes, sit-ins, protests continued. 20 Feb movement activist arrested 10 Dec over impersonation of King, 8 others sentenced 18 Dec to 3-6 months jail. Long-time spiritual leader of semi-legal al-Adl wal Ihsane Islamist opposition movement, Cheikh Abdesslam Yassine, died 13 Dec; new secretary general Mohamed Abbadi 24 Dec reiterated organisation’s desire for justice, meaningful political reform. Interior Ministry 4 Dec said al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and allies have intensified activities aimed at undermining stability in country; security forces 25 Dec arrested 6 alleged AQIM members in Fès.

Security forces 24 Nov dismantled network suspected of recruiting and training fighters for Islamist groups Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Interior ministry 5 Nov said large-scale terrorist plot to bomb several cities thwarted, 8 members of “Ansar al-Sharia in the Islamic Maghreb”, new Ansar al-Sharia offshoot, arrested. Authorities 8 Nov imprisoned 3 suspected of planning terrorist training camp in Rif mountains.

Around a thousand judges 8 Oct demonstrated before Supreme Court against corruption, called for higher salaries and greater judicial independence. Police 4-5 Oct violently dispersed hundreds of unemployed university graduates and 300 striking miners occupying worksite in Ouarzazate. After Sept visit UN rapporteur Juan Mendez 24 Oct said torture and excessive use of force against protesters ongoing, particularly in Western Sahara, urged govt action to curb abuses. Court 15 Oct sentenced February 20 activist Bashir Benchaib to 12 years in jail.

5 activists from 20 Feb movement sentenced 12 Sept to 8-20 months in prison for “participation in unauthorised demonstration”; Human Rights Watch 17 Sept called on govt to investigate accusations that activists tortured by police. Thousands protested mid-month in Casablanca, Tangiers, Salé against anti-Islam film. Around a thousand jobless graduates 3 Sept protested in Rabat, hundreds briefly invaded Justice and Development (PJD) party HQ. PJD held youth rally 1 Sept despite govt ban for “security reasons”.

Security forces 26 Aug violently dispersed 20 Feb Movement demonstrators in Rabat, Casablanca demanding release of all political detainees, 23 Aug dispersed demonstrators protesting pledge of allegiance to king.

Court 9 July jailed 20 February Movement activist for 4-years for “occupation of non-public space”. Ruling Justice and Development Party (PJD) 14-15 July held 7th national conference with over ten thousand attending, including Palestinian Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal; PM Benkirane re-elected secretary general.

Banned but tolerated Judges Club 7 May published petition calling for judicial changes making prosecutors independent of executive; King Mohammed VI 8 May appointed 40-strong Higher Body of National Dialogue on Reform of the Judiciary. Mass protest 28 May in Casablanca over govt failure to deliver reforms. Student organiser Ezzedine Barzani jailed over Jan Taza riots released 1 May after 134-day hunger strike. Rapper Mouad Belghouat 11 May jailed for 1 year for “defaming” police after denouncing corruption. Interior Ministry 5 May announced dismantlement of Mujahideen Movement of Morocco.

PM Benkirane 22 April criticised King Mohammed entourage, warned Arab Spring not over. Outspoken rapper Mouad Belghouat to be tried for insulting public employees following 29 March arrest. Human rights organisations 10 April said 27 prisoners currently on hunger strike, many in protest against political nature of convictions. Interior Ministry 9 April said terror cell in Agourai disrupted, members allegedly preparing to attack govt facilities, banks.