Continuing Delays in Court Proceedings
The trial concerning the alleged misconduct surrounding the Padis residential complex in Al-Hoceima, Morocco, has faced yet another postponement due to the repeated absence of several accused individuals. The court, which is responsible for reviewing cases referred from the Court of Cassation, failed to initiate proceedings on this significant case that had previously drawn the attention of the Moroccan monarch during his visit to the city in the summer of 2014. At that time, the king received complaints from beneficiaries of the residential units, primarily from the Moroccan diaspora, regarding discrepancies and irregularities in the project. The current scenario has echoed the previous challenges faced by the same court in dealing with financial crime cases, where absences have hindered justice.
Notable Absences and Future Proceedings
During the recent session held on April 6, only a handful of the 27 defendants, including officials from the Deposit and Management Fund and various contractors, appeared in court. Notably, several lawyers representing their clients were also absent, complicating the proceedings further. Among those present were Anas Alami Lhooir and his colleague Ali Ghanam, both key figures in the case who had previously missed a hearing on January 19. Due to the absence of numerous accused individuals, most of whom are former and current officials of the Deposit and Management Fund, the court decided to adjourn the case until June 1, allowing time to re-summon those who failed to appear. This decision follows a pattern of absences that have plagued previous sessions, including one on February 23.
The current stage of the trial follows a successful appeal by the public prosecution, which had contested earlier rulings issued by the court in Fes. On March 9, 2022, the court had delivered what was considered surprising sentences, reducing the prison term for Anas Alami Lhooir, the former CEO of the Deposit and Management Fund, and his counterpart Ali Ghanam from one year to six months, alongside fines of 5,000 dirhams each. This ruling led to the acquittal of 25 other defendants, including CDG officials and representatives of major construction companies involved in the project.
This case has been marked by significant legal complexities, with the court previously convicting Alami and Ghanam for the mismanagement of non-transferable funds, while clearing them of more severe charges such as embezzlement and forgery, which could carry sentences of up to 20 years. The court's decisions have raised eyebrows among observers, especially given the serious allegations of financial misconduct associated with the Padis project, which involves substantial sums of public money, highlighting the ongoing issues of accountability and transparency in Moroccan governance.
As reported by almayadeennews.ma.
