Former Moroccan Ambassador Faces Child Prostitution Charges, Sparks Outrage

In a statement released on Sunday, the Moroccan association said it is "closely following" this "heinous" case that broke out in the middle of Ramadan. The octogenarian former diplomat filed a complaint against a presumed prostitute, who turns out to be a minor, for the theft of his personal phone. Accused of "human trafficking" and "rape of minors", he was placed in detention at the local El Arjat 2 prison, before being heard by the investigating judge at the Rabat Court of Appeal who decided to prosecute him while at liberty.

"The alleged facts are in complete contradiction with the diplomatic responsibilities, which require an ethics, towards the country represented, namely Morocco," criticizes the NGO chaired by Najat Anwar, which "urges the security services to further deepen their investigations to identify any possible accomplices." It also wishes "the application of the maximum sentences, towards any person having sexually exploited a minor child" in order to "deter any pedophile who would dare to abuse our children".

The minor accused of stealing the former diplomat’s phone was located and arrested by the investigators. She confessed, stressing that her intention was to "protect herself and her minor friends" from the defendant who would have filmed them with his phone "in sexual positions." According to her, the ambassador subjected them to sexual exploitation in his residence located in the Souissi district of Rabat, in exchange for sums of money. The ex-diplomat’s wife, also heard by the police, admitted to being aware of her husband’s "perverse practices".