HIBAPRESS – Fez
The repercussions of the case, which erupted against the backdrop of suspicions related to human trafficking and the exploitation and recruitment of underage girls for prostitution in the city of Fez, continue to unfold, as the Public Prosecutor at the Fez Court of Appeal has issued an order for an international arrest warrant for two women suspected of being involved in this case.
According to available information, the arrest warrant has been circulated through the channels of the international police, Interpol, in order to locate and apprehend the individuals concerned, with a view to taking the legal measures related to their extradition to the Moroccan authorities, in accordance with established procedures.
This step comes within the context of the investigations and inquiries initiated by the Regional Judicial Police Unit of the Fez Security Directorate, which have spanned several weeks, regarding suspicions related to the exploitation of minors and incitement to prostitution, along with other alleged offenses within a charitable institution in the city.
Earlier, the Public Prosecutor had decided to prosecute 12 individuals in detention and transfer them to the local prison of Berkais, on suspicion of their involvement in the acts under investigation, including former and current employees, cadres, and officials of the institution.
The Public Prosecution also decided to prosecute one individual, who was previously at liberty, in detention, before referring the case to the Preliminary Criminal Chamber of the Fez Court of Appeal, which has set September 28th of this month as the date for the commencement of the first trial sessions for those prosecuted.
The list of those prosecuted, according to circulating information, includes a current nursery teacher and a current general supervisor working at the institution, two former directors, a former head of the warehouse, three supervisors, two nursery teachers, two private security guards, in addition to the current head of the association.
The beginning of the case dates back to judicial and security investigations launched after the emergence of information and suspicions about acts that could amount to crimes of human trafficking, exploitation of minors, incitement to prostitution, and theft. Elements of the Regional Judicial Police Unit worked to gather data and hear statements from a number of individuals, before referring the investigation results to the Public Prosecution for necessary legal action.
The case, at its various stages, remains subject to the authority of the judiciary, pending the outcomes of the trial sessions and ongoing investigations concerning the other suspects, including the two women who are the subject of the international arrest warrant.
