Crowd lynches 'robber' in Morocco market

A crowd has lynched and fatally injured a man and seriously hurt his alleged accomplice after accusing them of robbery near a weekly market in central Morocco, local officials and media reported Friday.

The man was caught "red-handed" Thursday near the town of Midelt and another suspected robber also attacked, the officials told state news agency MAP.

The man, in his 50s, died in hospital, while the other suspect, around 20, was left in critical condition, after a crowd of merchants and onlookers beat and stomped on them, Medias24 website reported.

Website Le360 cited security sources as saying the two were "bandits" who had robbed a livestock breeder on his way to the market of more than 2,000 dirhams (around 190 euros/$207).

Others breeders from the market caught up with them and pummelled them with clubs and rocks, it said.

Last month, a crowd in the city of Fez, also central Morocco, pounced on a presumed homosexual in public because of his appearance, leading to an investigation in which two suspects were arrested.

Homosexual activity is punishable in Morocco by up to three years in jail.

The justice ministry warned at the time it would act with firmness "against those who stand in for the law, which is the sole preserve of the state".