Defense lawyers said 13 of the defendants received eight-month prison terms and were due for release after completing their sentences. Two others were handed one-year sentences with 10 months to be served in detention, while three individuals received suspended 12-month terms after previously being released pending trial.

The case also includes six minors, who are scheduled to appear before the court on June 19. Four of them remain in pretrial detention, while two were released pending proceedings, according to defence lawyer El Hassan Essonni.

The prosecutions stem from protests that erupted in September 2025, led by a youth movement that called for reforms in public healthcare and education.

Authorities said the demonstrations, which took place across several cities, resulted in widespread arrests after gatherings were initially banned.

According to data cited by prosecutors, more than 2,400 people have been prosecuted in connection with the protests, while over 1,400 were held in detention by October last year. Police carried out hundreds of arrests in the early days of the unrest.

The protests included episodes of violence in some areas, including Agadir, where three people were killed in clashes. Organizers of the movement have maintained that their demonstrations were intended to be nonviolent.

Morocco authorities continue to process cases linked to the unrest as courts handle trials arising from the broader protest movement.

The findings come two days before rapper-turned politician Balendra Shah is set to be sworn in as prime minister after securing a landslide victory in parliamentary elections triggered by the unrest.

The 970-page report held Oli, 74, responsible for not intervening during hours of firing on the first day of youth-led demonstrations, in which at least 19 Gen Z protesters were killed. Overall, 76 people died and 2,522 were injured during two days of violence, the panel said, broadly aligning with earlier government estimates.

“As the executive head Oli should be held responsible for anything good or bad,” the report stated.The panel also recommended prosecution of former home minister Ramesh Lekhak and then police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung, citing their roles in the handling of the crackdown.

None of the individuals named could be immediately reached for comment.Legal experts said the panel’s findings do not constitute formal charges and must be followed by a criminal investigation before any case is brought to court.“It is not a charge sheet and they cannot be jailed on the basis of this report,” said senior lawyer Dinesh Tripathi.

“There has to be a criminal investigation by police … The government can file the case in the court only after that.”If prosecuted and convicted, those named could face prison terms of up to 10 years, according to the report.

Analysts say the decision on whether to act on the recommendations now rests with Shah, 35, and his Rastriya Swatantra Party, which rose to power on the back of anti-corruption sentiment following the protests.

The panel also called for action against dozens of other officials and security personnel involved in the crackdown. Families of victims have continued to demand accountability for the deaths and injuries during the demonstrations.