Morocco Corruption Scandal: Ex-MP Sentenced to 9 Years for Embezzlement and Fraud

The verdict was handed down following his involvement in several offenses such as the misappropriation of public funds, blackmail, forgery and corruption.

The case dates back to June 2017, when a police operation near Casablanca led to the arrest of El Howass and several of his accomplices. A large sum of money was also seized during this search. Although some media had mentioned the seizure of 17 billion cents in cash (i.e. 170 million dirhams), this information had been formally denied by the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).

Many complaints had been filed since 2017 by real estate developers. The former mayor was accused of having awarded, without a call for tenders, a contract of 80 million dirhams for an urban development project in the municipality of which he was the president. He was also accused of having ordered the felling of a series of eucalyptus trees along a national road, the wood being intended to fuel his hammams.