Tangier Mayor Monir Lymouri, also a regional official of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, was questioned by an investigating judge at the Court of Appeal in Tangier on Wednesday, November 4. The session lasted over four hours and was part of an investigation into alleged election irregularities, known as the "Tangier file" or "election papers." Lymouri faces serious charges, including violating electoral processes to alter or attempt to alter the outcome of the vote.
According to sources, Lymouri was confronted with various statements, arguments, and evidence seized during the investigation, which also implicates seven other individuals, including company accountants and polling station officials. The mayor is scheduled to appear in a new session on November 11 to continue the investigation. The investigating judge has set November 9, 10, and 11 to hear from other witnesses. Lymouri has been in pre-trial detention at Asilah prison since October 2.
The case dates back to the legislative elections on September 23, when a person was arrested near a school in Tangier's Kasparata neighborhood with a bag containing voting papers. Investigations led to a hotel in the city, where surveillance footage showed Lymouri and others marking "Authenticity and Modernity Party" symbols on voting papers. Technical expertise revealed that the ink used was different from the official ink, and phone records showed communication between Lymouri and suspects before and during the election.
The Authenticity and Modernity Party issued a statement shortly after the incident, describing it as a "plot against the party." However, the party later froze Lymouri's membership and referred his case to the party's arbitration and ethics committee, pending a final court ruling. The party emphasized the "presumption of innocence" until a definitive verdict is reached.
Lymouri was arrested on October 2 after being stopped at Tangier Ibn Battouta airport upon his return from Málaga, Spain, in execution of a national search warrant issued against him. Several sources described this as an "escape." The investigating judge charged Lymouri with serious offenses, including violating electoral processes, participating in public document forgery, and bribery.
The mayor's lawyer has not commented on the allegations, while the prosecution has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The case has sparked significant attention in Morocco, with many questioning the integrity of the electoral process. The authorities have vowed to ensure that those responsible for any irregularities are held accountable.
Lymouri's detention has raised concerns about the potential impact on the local political landscape. The Authenticity and Modernity Party has a significant presence in Tangier, and Lymouri's arrest has created uncertainty about the party's future in the region. The case is expected to continue unfolding in the coming weeks, with further hearings and investigations planned.
Key points
- Tangier Mayor Monir Lymouri faces allegations of election tampering and is in pre-trial detention.
- The case involves claims of voting irregularities during the September 23 legislative elections.
- Lymouri's party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party, has frozen his membership pending a final court ruling.
