Marrakech Mayor to Stand Trial for Alleged COP22 Corruption on March 26

Larbi Belcaid and his first deputy, Younes Benslimane, should appear for the first time before the criminal chamber of the Court of Appeal of Marrakech on March 26, reports Al Massae. The setting of the trial date follows the completion of the thorough investigation conducted by the investigating judge in this case. The two municipal officials are said to have wasted public funds and signed no-bid contracts worth 280 million DH without having the capacity, as part of the organization of the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) in the ochre city in 2016.

They are being prosecuted for "embezzlement of public funds under their responsibility by virtue of the nature of their function" and "exercise of a regulated function without meeting the necessary conditions". An additional charge is brought against Younes Benslimane, the mayor’s deputy. It is "misappropriation of public funds".

A complaint from the Moroccan Association for the Defense of Human Rights is at the origin of the outbreak of this case. The judicial police of Casablanca had heard the two main accused and 70 entrepreneurs and officials at the municipal council. They are all being prosecuted in this case.