Former Moroccan Dressage Champion Faces Trial for Alleged Rape of Minors in Belgium

Naoufal Hassani is not the only person to have legal troubles in this case of rape on minors. His parents, who operate the Relais de Groenendael, a riding school on the edge of the Soignes forest, are also being prosecuted by the justice system. They are being tried for failure to assist a person in danger, reports la Dernière Heure. The public prosecutor, substitute Thierry Coomans de Brachène, is seeking 8 years’ imprisonment against the rider and 18 months’ imprisonment against his parents.

Neither Naoufal nor his parents acknowledge the facts they are accused of. These alleged facts are said to have occurred over a six-year period (between December 31, 2006 and June 16, 2012). At the time, the alleged victims were under 16 years old. Based on testimonies, the specialized lawyers Roland Menschaert and Yves De Gratie pleaded the absence of reasonable doubt, according to the same source.

A former girlfriend of the dressage champion testifies: "I met Naoufal in 2007-2008, this relationship lasted a year. Very quickly as Naoufal’s girlfriend, I gained the trust of the young girls frequenting the riding school. I learned from these girls that some of them spent the night in Naoufal’s bed. I know that (such a teenager) often slept with Naoufal."

"I occupied a mattress on the floor next to Naoufal’s bed. I can tell you that (the very young rider) had a sexual relationship with Naoufal, because she stayed one night sleeping with him in his bed, and as I was sleeping next to him and was awake, I clearly heard that they were having a sexual relationship. I didn’t see anything, it was just from the sound of the voices. Moreover, the next day, he did not hesitate to boast about it. I think the girl was about fifteen years old at the time," recounts a young rider.

According to lawyer Yves De Gratie, Naoufal Hassani blackmailed the young riders he coached. According to him, the modus operandi of the former Moroccan dressage champion consists of using violence, harassment and inappropriate remarks. Not to mention the "groping in the tack rooms", the "irrepressible desire to have a sexual relationship at all costs".