City Club CEO Jonathan Harroch Jailed in Casablanca Over Bad Check Allegations

Since Saturday, Jonathan Harroch is no longer free to move around. Arrested by the national brigade of the judicial police of Casablanca, he was presented on Tuesday to the Attorney General of the Court of Appeal of the city. The latter decided to send the businessman before the investigating judge. After the extension of his police custody until Tuesday, he was incarcerated in the Oukacha prison in Casablanca. The accused was wanted for having issued checks without provision.

In a press release, the Moroccan Center for Human Rights welcomed the arrest of Jonathan Harroch "in flagrante delicto of exploiting two young women in his hotel room, whom he claims are employees of his group", and in possession of 2.5 grams of cocaine. For the Center, these elements "confirm the many suspicions that weighed on this person, who exploits the young women working in his group, which requires prosecution for the crime of human trafficking and the use of hard drugs".

The Center revealed that many employees of the "City Club" have complained of alleged ill-treatment and abuse they suffer from the defendant who did not honor his commitments towards them, in particular the regular payment of salaries. These behaviors "have aggravated the social and psychological situation of many employees, without them being able to obtain their rights, whether amicably or through legal channels," denounces the same source, adding that Moroccan women have reported being denied access to the City club because of the wearing of the veil or the burkini.

In view of these elements, the Center has called for an "investigation into all the irregularities committed by the owner of City Club within his group, by questioning the employees and members, and to take the necessary measures against him, in order to protect the rights of Moroccan women who have been victims of his behavior and his desires contrary to the dignity of Moroccan women".