A Moroccan cartoonist appeared in court on Wednesday to face charges of "insulting a constitutional institution" after posting caricatures of the king on social media, according to a source in the public prosecutor's office.
Yasser Mounbir, 22, was arrested three months ago, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The prosecution decided to charge him with "insulting a constitutional institution by electronic means", as well as insulting public officials, the source added.
The charges were brought after Mounbir posted caricatures of King Mohammed VI on Instagram, said Hakim Sikouk of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, an NGO that is following his case.
Mounbir appeared without a lawyer due to an nationwide strike in the legal profession that has been going on for several weeks.
He insisted, however, on his right to a legal defence, prompting the court to postpone the hearing until September 21, according to the prosecution source.
Article 179 of the Moroccan Penal Code forbids "defamation, insult or infringement of the private life of the king" and provides for prison sentences ranging from six months to two years.
The sentences may be doubled when the offence is committed electronically.