Legal Victory for Justice and Development Party in Morocco
In a significant legal development, the Court of Appeals in Morocco has acquitted a prominent member of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) from charges related to contracts associated with the global climate conference (COP 22) held in Marrakech in 2016. This decision has been viewed by party members as a much-needed vindication, particularly for Mohamed Al-Arabi Belkaid, the primary defendant in the case, and has reignited discussions surrounding one of the most controversial judicial and political cases in recent years.
Al-Arabi Belkaid, the former mayor of Marrakech, had been under scrutiny for years due to this complex case, which remained at the forefront of political dialogue and was closely tied to both his name and that of the party he represents. The legal journey, marked by various twists and turns, culminated in a ruling from the Financial Crimes Chamber of the Court of Appeals in Marrakech, which declared both Al-Arabi Belkaid and his first deputy, Younes Benslimane, not guilty in relation to the COP 22 contracts scandal.
The judicial panel accepted the appeal formally, subsequently annulling the initial ruling against Younes Benslimane, who had previously been convicted, while reiterating his innocence and confirming his acquittal. The court also upheld the remaining provisions of the decision and ordered the public treasury to cover the legal costs associated with the case.
The origins of this case trace back to a complaint filed in 2017, which alleged irregularities and suspicions surrounding the negotiation contracts made during Marrakech's hosting of the global climate conference in 2016. Both Al-Arabi Belkaid and his then-first deputy, Younes Benslimane, faced a tumultuous legal path that included investigations, trials, and appeals, with verdicts fluctuating between acquittals on charges related to embezzlement and money laundering. Eventually, the Court of Cassation intervened, overturning previous rulings and remanding the case to the appropriate judicial authority for further examination.
By early 2026, a ruling from the primary criminal court in the Marrakech Court of Appeals led to a conviction of the defendants for two years of prison time. This verdict prompted the defense team to swiftly appeal, asserting their unwavering belief in Al-Arabi Belkaid's innocence and the legality of the procedures involved in managing the contracts under scrutiny.
In light of the party members' celebration of this ruling, they circulated videos featuring remarks from the party's Secretary-General, Abdelilah Benkirane, who reaffirmed Al-Arabi Belkaid's innocence. He emphasized what he described as the individual’s integrity and clean record throughout his political and administrative career, stating, "If they found him stealing a single dirham, they should cut off his hand." He further added, "If he stole anything, then I should be imprisoned with him, because he would have given me what he stole." Benkirane expressed that he has known Al-Arabi Belkaid for forty years and is fully aware of his virtuous qualities.
As reported by alquds.co.uk.
