HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Baraka
The Primary Criminal Chamber for Financial Crimes at the Court of Appeal in Marrakech decided to postpone consideration of the case known in the media as "State Property Embezzlement," a case in which a number of officials and elected officials, along with real estate developers and employees, are being prosecuted, in a case that has aroused wide public interest due to its connection to public money management.
The postponement decision came after a request for an additional deadline to prepare the defense, as the court responded to the request submitted by some lawyers belonging to the Agadir and Laayoune bar, which prompted it to set a later date to continue considering the case, which is expected to enter the detailed discussion phase during the upcoming sessions. Around ten defendants are being prosecuted in this case, including officials, local elected officials, real estate developers, heads of departments, and employees, against the backdrop of accusations related to the embezzlement of public funds, forgery of official documents, and their use, in addition to receiving benefits in a contract and participating in these actions, each according to what is attributed to him in the indictment. The court also decided to maintain a set of precautionary measures against the defendants, including the withdrawal of passports and the closure of borders to some defendants, in order to ensure their presence before justice until the final decision on the case. In a related context, data related to the case revealed that the Public Prosecution also opened a procedure for suspected money laundering against the same defendants, as the Regional Brigade of the Judicial Police in Marrakech continues its investigations and investigations under the supervision of the competent Public Prosecution, with the aim of tracking the paths of the funds associated with this case. This case is one of the most prominent financial crime cases that the Red City has witnessed in recent years, given the nature of the accusations against the defendants and the size of the real estate and properties suspected of being linked to the embezzlement events, which made the case be followed up by human rights activists and public opinion.
