Serious Failures in Law Enforcement Procedures in Fes
On August 25, 2026, a troubling incident in the city of Fes has raised significant concerns regarding the handling of domestic disputes by law enforcement authorities. The situation unfolded when a husband reported his wife for suspected infidelity in an apartment. Upon the husband's call, police officers arrived at the scene but, alarmingly, they did not take immediate action to apprehend the suspected individual. Instead, they assigned the husband the task of "guarding" the building for several hours while they waited for further instructions.
In an unfortunate turn of events, the suspected individual managed to escape from the first floor and fled the scene in the wife's vehicle. Hours later, another police unit arrived but failed to conduct any meaningful investigation despite clear evidence of a struggle, including blood stains on the ground. This inaction is particularly concerning as the wife was not forcibly apprehended; instead, she voluntarily opened her door for the officers who were waiting in her garage, which raises questions about the effectiveness of police protocols in such critical situations.
The failure to act decisively not only resulted in the loss of crucial evidence but also exemplifies a grave breach of duty by the police. The procedural law clearly states that officers have the authority to intervene in cases of flagrant offenses without prior authorization from the public prosecutor. Furthermore, police officers are mandated to report any crime they witness immediately and to take necessary measures to preserve evidence. The failure to do so in this instance is tantamount to a serious violation of professional responsibilities and could be classified as a misdemeanor under criminal law for concealing crime evidence and neglecting official duties.
We at "Al Akhbar Al Maghribiya" hold the Fes Judicial Police fully accountable for this negligence. Had the situation escalated further, resulting in severe harm to either the wife or the alleged lover, the ramifications could have been dire. If the police had indeed consulted the public prosecutor prior to their inaction, it is imperative that the General Directorate of National Security issues a public statement clarifying the reasons behind the delay and who authorized the wait.
We urge the Public Prosecutor's Office to initiate an urgent administrative and judicial investigation into this matter. The law must prevail, and the designation of "judicial assistant" should not provide immunity from accountability.
As reported by alakhbaralmaghribiya.ma.
