Crackdown on Corruption and Theft in Oujda
The Public Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance in Fes has referred four individuals to the Anti-Money Laundering Chamber, following their connection to a criminal network allegedly led by the director of the municipal vehicle impound lot in Oujda. This network is under investigation for embezzling and misappropriating public funds, as well as stealing vehicles and motorcycles from the impound lot. The authorities are also preparing to present an additional group of suspects in connection with this case.
The aforementioned chamber, presided over by Judge Mohamed Radi, is set to commence the trial of the accused on September 23, 2026. This latest referral follows months after the initial convictions handed down by the Primary Criminal Chamber, under the leadership of advisor Mohamed Lahya. In that earlier ruling, the court imposed sentences on the defendants Ahmed Souidi and Khalid Baridi, each receiving a one-year prison term along with a fine of 20,000 dirhams. Similarly, defendants Nour Eddin Chaib and Samir Bouziani were sentenced to one year in prison and fined 10,000 dirhams each, after being charged with concealing items obtained from a crime and participating in the misappropriation of property entrusted to a public employee. However, they were acquitted of other charges, with all defendants ordered to bear the legal costs collectively.
In terms of compensatory and civil judgments, the court ordered the return of a seized Hyundai vehicle, a Hekland motorcycle, and mobile phones to their rightful owners, while ordering the confiscation of the remaining seized items for the benefit of the public treasury. In the related civil lawsuit, the court mandated the defendants to collectively pay a total compensation of 500,000 dirhams to the municipality of Oujda, represented by its president.
As reported by nadorcity.com.
