HIBAPRESS – A. Mahyaoui
The Preliminary Criminal Division of the Fez Court of Appeal, on Monday, concluded the preliminary stage of a case that shook the city of Sefrou, issuing a sentence of twenty years imprisonment against an individual with a criminal record, who was prosecuted for sexually assaulting his aunt and stealing her money and jewelry.
The judicial panel, presided over by Counselor Mohamed Ben Maachou, convicted the accused, named (Ayoub. A), for the acts attributed to him, and sentenced him to the aforementioned prison term, while holding him responsible for the costs.
The case dates back to August, when the victim, around thirty years old, was assaulted inside her home, according to the file's data. This data indicates that the accused subjected her to violence and sexual assault, before stealing money and jewelry in her possession, and then fleeing to an unknown destination.
Immediately after the incident, the relevant authorities began their investigations to identify and apprehend the suspect. He was arrested in the middle of Sefrou a few days after committing the acts in question, before being brought before justice.
The Public Prosecution had prosecuted the individual on charges related to rape, indecent assault by violence, aggravated nighttime theft with a weapon, and multiple offenses with violence. These charges formed the basis of the judicial proceedings, which concluded with the aforementioned verdict.
The case is of particular importance due to the seriousness of the acts, as well as the information that the accused was released from prison a few days before the incident, which brings back to the forefront the debate concerning the protection of victims and the confrontation of assaults that affect physical integrity and human dignity.
