3 years for royal Facebook fake in Morocco

RABAT, Morocco, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- A Moroccan engineer has been sentenced to three years behind bars and a $1,300 fine for creating a fake Facebook entry for a member of the royal family.

Fouad Mourtada was convicted of "villainous practices" and stealing the identity of Crown Prince Moulay Rachid. Rachid is the brother of the king.

A letter of apology on a Web site supporting Mourtada said he has "the greatest respect" for the prince, the BBC reported. Relatives say the 26-year-old told them he was beaten after his arrest.

Since Mourtada's arrest, the number of Rachid Facebook entries has grown to at least four, The New York Times reported. But their creators are believed to be outside Morocco and out of reach of the country's legal system.