Mauritanian Quranic school chief jailed over student's death
Abou Bakr Ould Sidi Ahmed Babah received a two-year sentence, with one year suspended, for negligence.
The head of the Al-Mabrouk Quranic school, Abou Bakr Ould Sidi Ahmed Babah, known as ‘Bekrin’, was sentenced to two years in prison, one year suspended, by the Rosso court. He was found guilty of negligence leading to the death of a student in February 2026.
The verdict followed the death of young Sidi Mohamed Ould Mahfoud at the Mahadra in Al-Mouyessar, Boutilimit. An investigation into the circumstances of the child's death led to the arrest of the school chief and another official, with the case then proceeding to trial.
The investigating judge had ordered the detention of the school chief, while others involved were placed under judicial supervision as the inquiry continued into the student's death.
Why it mattersThe sentencing of the Mahadra chief affects students and their families who rely on these religious schools for education.