Allegations Surface Against 'Dar Al-Aitfal Al-Wafa'
The 'Dar Al-Aitfal Al-Wafa' association, widely recognized as the 'Wafa Charity' located in the Al-Narjis neighborhood of Fes, was established on January 19, 2007, with the noble intention of providing care for orphaned children. The charity aimed to offer essential services such as shelter, education, and healthcare. For years, it operated within the realm of social welfare, until its name became embroiled in a controversial legal case that arose following the circulation of testimonies regarding living conditions within the facility.
Approximately six months ago, the first threads of this case unraveled after a video surfaced on social media, published by Noufal Moussa, formerly known as Sofia Taloni. In this video, he discussed allegations pertaining to the happenings within the 'Wafa Charity', claiming to have communicated with several current and former residents of the institution. These individuals shared troubling details about their experiences and the treatment they allegedly endured while residing at the charity.
The testimonies presented in the video included serious accusations directed at the former director of the institution, rather than the current one. Some residents alleged that he demanded sexual favors from them, claiming that those who refused faced expulsion from the charity. Additionally, they highlighted the deplorable living conditions within the facility.
In response to these alarming claims, the public prosecutor at the Fes Court of Appeal ordered an investigative inquiry to be launched, which was entrusted to the regional judicial police. They commenced investigations that involved numerous individuals associated with the institution, aiming to verify the circulated information and uncover the nature of the alleged misconduct, along with determining the potential responsibilities of each party involved.
Legal Proceedings and Developments
During this investigative phase, members of the regional police interrogated several officials and staff linked to the charity, including the current director of the Wafa social complex. She provided insights regarding the management of the institution in recent years, addressing various administrative and financial irregularities such as delayed salary payments, lapses in social security declarations, and accumulated dues related to water and electricity services.
The current director's statements also covered the management of food and material aid directed towards the institution, where she described practices that she claimed influenced the distribution of these aids. She presented documents and data to investigators, which were incorporated into the inquiry file, pending the outcome of judicial proceedings related to the various incidents and testimonies.
Mid-September saw significant developments in the investigation, with twelve individuals placed under police custody, including a caregiver currently serving as a general supervisor at the facility, two former directors, a former warehouse manager, three educators, two caregivers, as well as private security guards and the current association president. Six other individuals were summoned in a state of release for legal decisions based on the results of the investigations.
After presenting the concerned parties to the public prosecutor on the morning of September 17, the prosecution decided to extend the police custody period by an additional 24 hours to complete the investigations and inquiries. This phase culminated in the detention of twelve individuals, directly referring them to the primary criminal court, alongside six others who were pursued in a state of release, bringing the total number of defendants in this case to eighteen.
During the initial sessions of the trial against those involved in the 'Wafa Charity' case, held on Monday, September 28, the primary criminal court in Fes decided to postpone the proceedings until October 26. This extension was granted to summon the witnesses and allow the defendants time to appoint lawyers for their defense. Meanwhile, the detained defendants requested temporary release, but their legal representation was hindered due to the ongoing suspension of lawyers from providing professional services. Legal services are expected to resume on October 7.
The upcoming trial sessions are anticipated to reveal further details regarding the various incidents under scrutiny, while the determination of responsibilities remains contingent upon the discussions surrounding the case before the court.
As reported by ar.le360.ma.
