Legal Consequences for Key Figures in Fez Music Festival
In a significant ruling, the financial crimes chamber of the Fes court has handed down a two-year suspended prison sentence to Abderrafie Zouiten, the head of the 'Spirit of Fez' Foundation, just before the commencement of the 29th edition of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, scheduled to take place from June 4 to 7, 2026. The same sentence was imposed on the festival's former director, Fouzi Saqali. The court's verdict also included a confiscation of assets in favor of the state for Zouiten, while Saqali was ordered to pay a fine of 100,000 dirhams, alongside issuing similar penalties against several other defendants involved in the same case, as reported by the news outlet Le360.
Background of the Case
The case came to light following a complaint filed by the treasurer, secretary-general, and a board member of the 'Spirit of Fez' Foundation, which detailed management irregularities, including expenses related to the rental of a private jet and various administrative and financial breaches. This legal action marks a continuation of scrutiny surrounding Zouiten, who had previously been convicted in 2023 with a one-year suspended sentence and a fine of 20,000 dirhams for issues pertinent to the management of the same foundation. The recent ruling is a clear indication of the court's stance on financial misconduct and serves as a warning to those in positions of authority.
As reported by ar.yabiladi.com.
