Boukhari wrote an article entitled "A Brunette's Secret" which a woman "from the Middle Atlas region," who began her career as a dancer and eventually became a legislator. The article identified her by the pseudonym "Asmaa" to avoid liability for libel. The suit was brought by pro-government parliamentarian Hlima Assali, who assumed she was the target. Despite the absence of one of the defendants, and the lack of legal representation for the defence, the editor of the publication and Boukhari were sentenced to suspended imprisonment, a fine, and to pay damages to Assali. The conviction was upheld on appeal, but the damages award reduced.