Marrakech Corruption Trial Delayed Again: Ex-Mayor and Deputy Face Embezzlement Charges

Following a request from the new lawyers hired by the parliamentarian Younes Benslimane, the Court of Appeal of Marrakech postponed the trial of the former mayor of the ochre city, Mohamed Belcaid, and his first deputy, both prosecuted for embezzlement of public funds and signing of contracts by mutual agreement in the context of COP 22, reports Al Massae. During the hearing, the elected official claimed to be suffering from psychological pressure that affects his behavior and alters his statements.

His defense also asked the Court to postpone the hearings from Wednesday to Friday because they coincide with parliamentary sessions. This request was simply refused. As for the lawyers of the former mayor, Mohamed Larbi Belcaid, they requested the summoning of the dismissed wali of the Marrakech region, Abdelfattah Labzioui. A request rejected by the public prosecutor who explains that the wali is only linked to this case by a letter he had addressed to the municipal council asking it to proceed with a direct agreement in the markets concerning COP 22.

Larbi Belcaid and his first vice-president,