Marrakech Mayor and Deputy to Face Trial for Alleged Public Fund Misuse

20 February 2020 – bySylvanus@Bladi · 1 min read

Prosecuted for misappropriation of public funds and signing of negotiated contracts, the mayor of Marrakech, Larbi Belcaid, and his deputy, Younès Benslimane, will appear before the court, on March 11 and 12, 2020 respectively. This was decided by the investigating judge of the 3rd Chamber dedicated to financial crimes at the Court of Appeal of the ochre city.

The visit of the head of government (PJD as well), Saâdeddine El Othmani, and the Minister of State in charge of Human Rights, Mustapha Ramid, to the two accused last week, will have served no purpose, given the complexity of the case, notes Al Massae.

The two municipal authorities are accused of having diverted public funds and signed negotiated contracts without having the capacity to do so, thus violating the provisions of Articles 381 and 241 of the Penal Code. According to sources close to the case, the accused had awarded dubious public contracts worth 280 million dirhams as part of the organization of the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) in Marrakech.

Following the outbreak of this case, Larbi Belcaid and his deputy were referred to the investigating judge by the public prosecutor’s office near the court in charge of financial crimes, on Monday, January 27. 70 entrepreneurs and officials at the municipal council are also being prosecuted in this case.

Category: Morocco

Keywords:

Marrakesh Rights and Justice Larbi Belcaid