The Court of Appeals in Fez, Morocco, has postponed the trial of Anas Al-Hawir Al-Ilmami, former general manager of the Deposit and Management Fund, and Ali Ghanam, former general manager of the General Real Estate Company, along with other officials and contractors. The trial, which was set to take place on Monday, has been rescheduled for October 26, pending the presence of defense counsel.
According to sources, the court decided to cancel the in-absentia proceedings against the defendants present and notify them of the appointment of defense counsel, while incorporating the original file. This development comes after the Court of Cassation in Rabat overturned a previous decision by the Fez Court of Appeals, referring the case back to the same court but with a different panel.
The case relates to alleged irregularities in the "City of Badis" housing project in Al-Hoceima, which sparked controversy in 2014 following royal instructions to investigate. The initial investigation led to charges against several individuals, including Al-Ilmami and Ghanam, for their roles in the project. In February 2020, the Fez court found the two men guilty of misappropriating funds and sentenced them to one year in prison and a fine of 5,000 dirhams each.
However, in March 2022, the Court of Appeals in Fez reviewed the case and reduced the sentences to six months in prison, while maintaining other aspects of the verdict. The case involves multiple defendants, including contractors, company executives, engineers, and real estate managers. The trial has been postponed several times, with the latest delay allowing for the presence of defense counsel.
The "City of Badis" project was intended to provide housing for thousands of Moroccans, but it has been marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The case has been closely watched by the Moroccan public, who are eager to see accountability for those involved in the scandal. The postponement of the trial has raised concerns about the pace of justice in the case.
The Court of Cassation's decision to refer the case back to the Fez Court of Appeals was based on appeals by the prosecution and defense counsel. The court instructed the lower court to re-examine the case and address specific legal issues. The case has significant implications for those involved and for the broader effort to combat corruption in Morocco.
The trial's outcome will be closely watched by observers, who are eager to see whether the Moroccan justice system can deliver a verdict that addresses the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the "City of Badis" project. The case has already led to significant delays and postponements, and further delays could erode public trust in the justice system.
Key points
- The trial of former officials in the "City of Badis" scandal has been postponed to October 26, pending the presence of defense counsel.
- The case involves allegations of corruption and mismanagement in a major housing project in Morocco.
- The trial's outcome will have significant implications for those involved and for Morocco's efforts to combat corruption.
