Liziane Gutierrez, a Brazilian model and Instagram influencer, endured a harrowing ordeal during a recent trip to Morocco. After her bag, containing her phone and her husband’s work phone, was stolen outside their hotel in Marrakesh, the couple attempted to track the devices. Upon locating one of the phones, they sought assistance from nearby police officers, but faced communication barriers due to language differences. Frustrated by the perceived lack of responsiveness, Gutierrez began filming the officers, an action that led to her arrest and subsequent detention.
The model’s experience took a disturbing turn at the police station. Suspecting Gutierrez of being transgender, authorities subjected her to a humiliating and invasive physical examination to determine her gender before assigning her to a prison. Gutierrez recounted being forced to expose her genitals to both male and female officers, an experience that left her feeling deeply humiliated and violated. This incident raises serious questions about the procedures and practices of Moroccan authorities, particularly regarding the treatment of transgender individuals and the respect for basic human dignity.
Once incarcerated in a women’s prison, Gutierrez faced deplorable conditions. Overcrowding, unsanitary facilities, and inadequate food were just a few of the hardships she endured. She described a cell designed for ten inmates crammed with twenty women, infested with insects, and lacking proper ventilation. The lack of basic hygiene, coupled with the oppressive environment, painted a grim picture of the conditions within the Moroccan prison system. Gutierrez’s account highlights the stark contrast between her glamorous public persona and the harsh realities of her incarceration.
Adding to the trauma of her detention, Gutierrez recounted the pervasive fear she experienced during her imprisonment. She described feeling unsafe and vulnerable, constantly aware of the potential for violence and exploitation within the overcrowded cells. The lack of privacy and the constant presence of other inmates compounded the psychological distress of her confinement. The experience left a lasting impact on Gutierrez, who vowed never to return to Morocco, stating that she felt more respected in North Korea, a country notorious for its human rights abuses, than she did in Morocco.
Gutierrez’s husband, Toni, was also arrested but released after just one day, reportedly after providing the password to the phone containing the recording of the police officers. This disparity in treatment further underscores the apparent arbitrary nature of the Moroccan authorities’ actions and raises concerns about potential abuses of power. Gutierrez’s case brings into sharp focus the challenges faced by foreign nationals navigating legal systems in unfamiliar countries, particularly when language barriers and cultural differences impede effective communication and due process.
The model’s ordeal serves as a cautionary tale about the potential risks of traveling abroad, particularly to countries with differing legal systems and cultural norms. It also highlights the importance of respecting local laws and customs while advocating for one’s rights. Gutierrez’s experience underscores the need for greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by travelers, especially in situations where communication barriers and cultural misunderstandings can escalate into serious legal consequences. While Gutierrez’s public persona is that of a glamorous bikini model and social media influencer, her experience in Morocco reveals a vulnerable individual subjected to a deeply unsettling and dehumanizing ordeal.
