Unexpected Acquittal in COP22 Case
In a surprising turn of events, the criminal chamber responsible for financial affairs at the Marrakech Court of Appeal has acquitted Mohamed Larbi Belkaid, the former mayor of Marrakech and a member of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), along with deputy Younes Benslimane, a member of the National Rally of Independents (RNI). This ruling was delivered on Tuesday and overturns a previous decision from January 2026, which had sentenced both officials to two years in prison along with a fine of 20,000 dirhams each, as well as the payment of 4 million dirhams in damages.
The case revolved around allegations of irregularities in the awarding of public contracts by the Marrakech municipality during the preparations for the COP22 climate conference held in 2016. The judicial investigation was initiated following complaints lodged by human rights organizations, which highlighted potential violations concerning the management of public funds.
At the time of the COP22, Mohamed Larbi Belkaid served as the mayor of Marrakech, while Younes Benslimane, who was initially a member of the PJD before transitioning to the RNI led by Aziz Akhannouch, held the position of deputy mayor. The acquittal has raised questions about the accountability of public officials, especially concerning the transparency of public contracts.
This verdict has sparked significant discussion among the public and political analysts, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding governance and integrity within municipal administrations. The implications of this ruling will likely resonate within the Moroccan political landscape as stakeholders and citizens alike continue to advocate for greater accountability and oversight in public service.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
