Two Moroccans acquitted of theft in Ceuta as judge refers complainant for possible investigation
Two Moroccans held since late August on suspicion of theft in Ceuta have been acquitted. At the hearing, testimony about payments demanded for staying at the complainant’s home led the judge to refer information about her for a possible investigation.
The woman accused them of stealing money and a phone from her home. But in court, several testimonies pointed to a paid lodging arrangement, reports El Faro de Ceuta on 6 October.
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One of the defendants said he had arrived in Ceuta during the influx at the end of July. At the time, many migrants were left with nowhere to sleep because they had no money or no place in a shelter. Some families had also been forced to set up tents near the Tarajal warehouses.
As for the second defendant, his sister had sent 800 euros to pay for his accommodation. He said the requests for money later increased. According to him, the argument broke out after his own phone, which he had left charging in the house, went missing.
Defendants and witness describe payments
A witness confirmed that the woman charged young people to sleep at her home. These statements led the prosecutor’s office to ask that information concerning her be referred for a possible offense involving violations of the rights of foreigners.
The judge granted the request and acquitted the two Moroccans of theft. The complainant has not been convicted: the evidence will be examined in a separate proceeding.
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The lack of accommodation also affects the most vulnerable people in Ceuta. In September, the hospital extended the stay of five Moroccan women after they gave birth, as staff feared they would end up on the streets with their babies.
