The Public Prosecutor at the Court of Appeals in Fes has scheduled the first session of the trial of Abdessalam Bqali, a former mayor of Fes, on charges of failing to report a crime. This development comes after the Court of Cassation quashed Bqali's previous conviction and referred his case back to the Court of Appeals in Fes for retrial by a different judicial body.
Bqali was initially convicted of failing to report a crime and sentenced to six months in prison. His case is linked to a broader corruption investigation involving several officials and contractors, including former parliamentarian Abd al-Qadir al-Busiri, who is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence. The case also implicates other municipal officials who face charges related to financial corruption.
The Court of Cassation's decision to quash Bqali's conviction and order a retrial was seen as a significant development in the case. The court's move was expected by some observers, who had questioned the fairness of the initial trial. Bqali's lawyer had argued that his client's rights were not respected during the initial proceedings.
In addition to Bqali, two municipal officials, Nour al-Din al-Alami and Muhammad al-Mouser, will also face retrial on charges of embezzlement of public funds, forgery, and breach of professional confidentiality. The Court of Cassation quashed their convictions and referred their cases back to the Court of Appeals in Fes for retrial by a different judicial body.
The case against Bqali and other officials is part of a broader crackdown on corruption in Morocco. The investigation into financial irregularities and corruption has led to the prosecution of several high-profile officials and businessmen. The authorities have vowed to pursue those involved in corruption and ensure that they are held accountable.
Sufyan Idrissi, a former clerk of the Fes municipal council, had also been implicated in the case. His conviction was quashed by the Court of Cassation, which ordered a retrial. Idrissi had been sentenced to prison, a decision that sparked controversy among some observers.
The retrial of Bqali and other officials is expected to shed more light on the corruption allegations and determine the extent of their involvement. The case has significant implications for the Moroccan authorities' efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability among public officials. The trial is set to proceed in the coming weeks.
Key points
- Former Fes mayor Abdessalam Bqali to face trial for failure to report a crime
- Court of Cassation quashes previous conviction and orders retrial
- Case part of broader corruption investigation involving officials and contractors
