Belgium: A Moroccan kidnapped and tortured due to the mistake of a bailiff

The case dates back to August 21, 2024 in Herstal. Following the error of a bailiff who mistook the apartment, the police seized a large quantity of drugs at Mohamed’s, a 28-year-old Moroccan. Convinced that they had been stolen by the occupant of the premises, the owners of the cargo then decide to kidnap the young man to obtain compensation.

On Bladi.net: Torture network and crypto-extortion: Heavy sentences for the gang of the Franco-Moroccan arrested in Tangier

According to the elements reported by Sudinfo, the criminals sent a photo of the bloodied victim to his mother in Morocco via WhatsApp, demanding 50,000 euros. Failing payment, Mohamed underwent 48 hours of torment: locked in a toilet, he received knife blows every hour and his tormentors even tried to saw off his ankle.

While the main perpetrators received sentences of up to 12 years in prison, the appeal trial on Monday concerns Soufiane Essaber Emhouji, the victim’s roommate. Sentenced at first instance to five years in prison, the public prosecutor’s office is now demanding eight years against him, accusing him of having served as bait to lure Mohamed into the trap.

On Bladi.net: Revenge or self-defense? The assassination of the Moroccan Reda Chemssi reconstructed in Liège

The defense of the 25-year-old student pleads the absence of choice in the face of seasoned criminals, recalling that he did not strike any blows and has no serious criminal record. The Liège Court of Appeal will hand down its final ruling in the course of April.