Significant Legal Action in Fes Charity Case
On September 17, 2026, at 21:09, the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Fes announced the decision to charge twelve individuals, currently in custody, by referring them to the primary criminal chamber. This action stems from the alarming case involving the charity 'Complex Al-Wafa,' which has been under scrutiny for allegations of human trafficking, including the exploitation of minors, some of whom are abandoned children, in sexual practices and related acts of prostitution, as well as theft under threat.
The list of those detained includes a caregiver currently functioning as a general supervisor at the institution, former directors, a previous warehouse manager, three educational facilitators, two caregivers, along with private security guards and the current head of the association. Additionally, the prosecutor's office has decided to charge six individuals who are currently free, including a former director, a former president of the association, a national cooperation employee, an educational facilitator, a social worker, and the owner of a sewing shop.
The decision to directly refer the case to the criminal chamber came after the prosecutor's office deemed the investigation ready for resolution, indicating that no preliminary inquiry was necessary. This decision was based on Article 73 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which empowers the Public Prosecutor to order the detention of defendants and to transfer them to the criminal chamber within a maximum period of fifteen days.
On the previous Wednesday morning, the regional judicial police had presented the suspects to the Public Prosecutor, who subsequently extended their provisional detention for an additional 24 hours to complete investigations and inquiries. The suspects were presented again on Thursday, leading to the issuance of charges against them in accordance with the legal status assigned to each individual.
The origins of this case can be traced back to a video circulated on social media, featuring testimonies from former and current residents of the 'Complex Al-Wafa' charity. In this video, individuals spoke about their living conditions and alleged abuses during their time at the institution, prompting the Public Prosecutor to launch a judicial inquiry to verify the circulating information and to question various parties involved.
The testimonies in the video primarily targeted the former director of the institution rather than the current one. Some residents described demands of a sexual nature, claiming that refusal to comply could lead to expulsion. Other accounts included allegations regarding the exploitation of minors in acts related to prostitution and theft under threat.
Since the investigation commenced, the regional judicial police in Fes have initiated a series of inquiries and interviews involving parties linked to the case, which eventually escalated to the detention of twelve individuals. Six others were presented in a state of freedom, culminating in the current stage of the case being referred to the primary criminal chamber.
As reported by ar.le360.ma.
