Trial Postponed Amid Serious Allegations
On September 28, 2026, the primary criminal chamber of the Court of Appeal in Fez postponed the first session of the trial concerning the defendants involved in the case of the 'Al-Wafa Complex' charity to October 26, 2026. This decision comes as the court awaits the completion of judicial procedures in a case that has emerged amidst investigations into serious allegations of human trafficking, abuse of power, the recruitment of minors for prostitution-related activities, as well as robbery under threat.
During the initial session, the detained defendants made requests for provisional release, which the court is set to decide upon, even as their legal representatives were unable to attend due to an ongoing strike by lawyers. This strike is expected to conclude with professional bodies resuming their work starting October 7, 2026.
The public prosecutor's office in Fez previously decided to charge 12 individuals in custody and to directly refer them to the primary criminal chamber, while six additional individuals were charged but remain free. This followed the conclusion of inquiries conducted by the regional judicial police in Fez.
The list of those detained includes a caregiver currently serving as a general guardian at the institution, former directors, a past warehouse manager, three instructors, and two caregivers, alongside private security guards and the current president of the association. Those charged but not detained include a former director, a past president of the association, a national cooperation employee, an instructor, a social worker, and a sewing shop owner.
Alarming Testimonies Spark Legal Action
The origins of this case can be traced back to a video that circulated on social media, featuring testimonies from former and current residents of the 'Al-Wafa Complex' charity. These individuals spoke about their living conditions and alleged abuses they faced while residing at the facility, prompting the public prosecutor to initiate an investigation to verify the circulated claims and to interview multiple parties involved.
The testimonies provided in the video primarily levied accusations against the former director of the institution rather than the current one. Some residents recounted demands of a sexual nature, claiming that refusal to comply resulted in expulsion, while other accounts suggested that minors were exploited in prostitution-related activities and subjected to robbery under threat.
Since the emergence of these allegations, the regional judicial police in Fez have conducted a series of investigations and interviews involving parties linked to the case. This culminated in several suspects being placed in police custody and subsequently presented to the public prosecutor, who deemed the case ready for trial without necessitating further preliminary investigation.
As reported by ar.le360.ma.
