Moroccan Official Denies Corruption Charges in High-Profile Embezzlement Trial

5 November 2019 – byKamal · 1 min read

The Criminal Chamber at the Court of Appeal of Casablanca gave the floor to the President of the municipality of Had Soualem, who is being prosecuted in a case of corruption, embezzlement and fraud of public funds and abuse of power.

Zine el Abidine Haouas stated that he did not know the reason for his presence before the Court, and that he rejected all the charges against him.

"I have never been prosecuted, and I do not remember having visited a gendarmerie station," he argued.

The former deputy specified that he has always been firm with his employees, while working to deliver perfect and rigorous work. Following these statements, the jury decided to withdraw for deliberation.

Zine el Abidine Haouas had been arrested in June 2017, following a complaint filed by a contractor, accusing him of blackmail. The latter would have been forced to pay the sum of 800,000 dirhams, in exchange for the authorization to build a residential development.

Category: Morocco

Keywords:

Corruption Had Soualem Zine El Abidine Howass Fraud