Moroccan Lawmaker Sentenced to 6 Years for Corruption in Building Permit Scandal

10 April 2021 – bySylvanus@Bladi · 1 min read

The Court of Appeal of Marrakech in charge of financial crimes has sentenced the MP Abderrahim El Kamel, who is also the president of the Ouahat Sidi Brahim commune, to six years in prison for corruption, thus confirming the verdict handed down at first instance. He had demanded a sum of 110,000 DH for the issuance of a building permit.

Verdict confirmed. In July 2020, the court had sentenced Abderrahim El Kamel to a six-year prison sentence and a fine of 600,000 DH. On Thursday, the second-degree criminal chamber of the Marrakech Court of Appeal in charge of financial crimes confirmed this judgment, reports Al Akhbar. The PAM elected official was prosecuted for blackmail and corruption.

While a Moroccan residing abroad (MRE) had gone to see him to obtain a building permit, the president of the Ouahat Sidi Brahim commune had demanded a sum of 110,000 DH. An uncomfortable situation for the MRE who complained to the National Brigade of the Judicial Police (BNPJ). With the collaboration of the plaintiff, a trap was set for the elected official. This is how Abderrahim El Kamel was caught in the act of receiving the requested sum on January 21, 2020.

Things quickly got complicated for him. He was taken into custody. After being brought before the Attorney General of the King near the Marrakech Court of Appeal on January 24, 2020, he was prosecuted while in pre-trial detention before being sentenced in July 2020.

Category: Morocco

Keywords:

Marrakesh Rights and Justice Corruption Prison