Morocco's Supreme Court Revisits Fes Corruption Case
The Supreme Court of Morocco has made a significant ruling regarding the corruption case involving Fes Mayor Abdel Salam Bakali and his colleague, Sufyan Derissi. The court has annulled previous convictions and mandated a new trial for the two officials, which will take place in Room 5 of the Appeals Court in Fes. This decision comes after their legal team successfully challenged their earlier sentences of six months in prison, issued by the financial crimes division of the Appeals Court. They were implicated in a broader network of financial and administrative corruption led by former parliamentarian Abdel Qader Bouciri, who is currently serving an eight-year sentence for his involvement in the scandal.
As the case unfolds, it remains crucial to note that the Supreme Court has yet to address the appeal submitted by Bouciri's defense team regarding his conviction. According to Omar Haloui, a member of Bouciri's legal team, the court's decision on this matter is still pending.
In a notable development, the Supreme Court has accepted appeals from additional municipal employees involved in the corruption case. This includes the head of the Parks Department, previously sentenced to two years in prison, and the head of procurement, who received a three-year sentence. The Appeals Court had previously overturned an initial acquittal for Bakali and Derissi, resulting in their current six-month prison sentences.
Continued Legal Proceedings
The Appeals Court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Ben Maâchou, intensified the penalties for the primary accused, Bouciri, increasing his sentence from five to eight years. Other sentences were also revisited, with the prison terms for several contractors and intermediaries being heightened as part of the court's rulings. The extensive network of 13 defendants faced serious charges, including forgery of official documents, misappropriation of public funds, bribery, abuse of power, and failure to report a crime, among others related to the management of local affairs in Fes.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within local governance in Morocco, emphasizing the need for accountability and judicial scrutiny in public office. The reopening of proceedings for Bakali and Derissi signifies a continued commitment to addressing financial misconduct in municipal administrations.
As reported by inews.ma.
