Severe Penalties for Corruption in Morocco
The Casablanca Court of Appeal has recently delivered a significant verdict, sentencing former minister and ex-mayor of Fquih Ben Salah, Moubdii, to a prison term of 13 years for his involvement in the embezzlement of public funds. This legal action, which has been pending for almost two years, concludes with the court mandating Moubdii to compensate the municipality with a staggering amount of 30 million Moroccan dirhams, equivalent to approximately $3.25 million. This compensation is directed to the municipality, which has acted as the civil party in this high-profile case.
Local media reports, including coverage from Medias24, indicate that Moubdii's defense team has already signaled their intention to appeal the court's ruling. Since 2023, Moubdii has remained in custody following allegations of corruption raised by the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Public Property. The allegations spotlighted numerous irregularities associated with public contracts that were awarded by the municipal council of Fquih Ben Salah, which Moubdii had presided over since 1997. His persistent leadership during this period raises questions about the accountability and oversight of public officials in Morocco.
Defense attorney Brahim Amoussi confirmed to AFP that an appeal is forthcoming but refrained from divulging additional details regarding the sentence. According to Amoussi, Moubdii has received a sentence that encompasses both imprisonment and the hefty fine, which underscores the seriousness with which the court is treating issues of corruption and public trust. Moubdii's political background is noteworthy; he served as the minister of Civil Service and Administration Modernization from 2013 to 2016 and held a leadership role within the centre-right Popular Movement in parliament. His recent appointment as chair of parliament's justice and legislation committee sparked considerable backlash on social media, leading to his resignation from that position amidst the ongoing scrutiny of his actions.
As reported by turkiyetoday.com.
