Financial crime: Three major trials in focus
On this particular day, court reporters were spoilt for choice. Three major trials were scheduled for this Thursday, June 27, 2024, in the same famous room number 8, where the Casablanca Court of Appeal’s Chamber of Financial and Economic Crimes sits. Judge Ali Torchi presided over the hearings.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection’s public procurement case opens the proceedings. Several people are being prosecuted for corruption, squandering of public funds, forgery, and use of forgery… They are civil servants, business owners, forwarding agents… Their trial is drawing to a close. We have been in the middle of the defense case since the hearing of June 13, 2024. The second case to follow on this summer morning was that of Bioui & Naciri. To date, it has monopolized the public’s attention for two reasons. The social status of the trial’s headliners and the seriousness of the alleged drug trafficking. Two members of parliament from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) are in the dock. Abdenbi Bioui is a building and public works contractor and President of the Oriental Regional Council. Saïd Naciri, also a businessman, has chaired the WAC soccer club and the Casablanca Prefectural Council, for which candidacies are open until July 1, 2024. In all, some thirty people are being prosecuted.
The first hearings were marked by the refusal of requests for provisional release, notably for the two elected representatives of the PAM. The trial is now moving towards a debate on the merits. The hearing that inaugurates this judicial turning point has been set for July 18, 2024. What does this mean? First, the defendants will take the stand to answer the charges, followed by the plaintiffs and any witnesses, and then the litigants… The trial is still in its early stages.
During the last hearing on June 27, the court decided to summon a person who was again absent. On the other hand, Customs, in its capacity as representative of the Foreign Exchange Office before the courts, was present.
Apart from drug trafficking and other serious charges, violation of foreign exchange regulations is also on the list.
Another case has been added to this busy judicial agenda. That of Mohamed Moubdi, former Minister Delegate for the Civil Service and President of the Fqih Ben Saleh Municipal Council, and 12 other defendants. The first hearing on June 27 was very brief. The representative of the Fkih Ben Saleh municipal council attended as a civil party. On the other hand, the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Public Funds, which had lodged the complaint, was absent. Also a civil party in this trial, it has yet to be notified to appear in court. The presiding judge, Ali Torchi, finally adjourned the case to July 25, 2024 to allow the defense to prepare. The August recess is approaching. This case will most likely be in full swing in the autumn.
Faiçal FAQUIHI
