Corruption Crackdown: 20 Moroccan Mayors Face Suspension in Nationwide Real Estate Scandal

Serious facts are being blamed on 20 commune presidents. According to an investigative report, they are suspected of trafficking in real estate documents, by masking their embezzlement through the delegation of this mission to subordinates within the urban planning departments of the communes concerned. A "business" that is developing in six major cities of the kingdom. These elected officials are now targeted for imminent removal. "A ’mani pulite’ operation is underway and would target more than 20 commune presidents who will be suspended from their elected functions," says Assabah.

It is not excluded that some of them, including the President of the Regional Council, may be dismissed. The removal of corrupt municipal elected officials is pronounced by the administrative court. These commune presidents will not be the only ones to be suspended. Several dozen could soon be questioned by the justice system, as more than 40 missions currently initiated by the Ministry of the Interior, following complaints, would also have identified numerous dysfunctions and excesses.

They "are accused of embezzlement in various matters ranging from the illegal allocation of municipal land to the misappropriation of public funds, as well as judicial proceedings that have heavily weighed on the public treasury."