Judicial Corruption in Tétouan: A Judge and Several Lawyers Convicted
In the case of a judge from Tétouan involved in a vast network of corruption and judgment manipulation, the Criminal Chamber of the Second Degree, specializing in financial crimes at the Court of Appeal in Rabat delivered its verdict on Wednesday, April 1. The scandal, revealed in 2023 by the judge’s wife, involved around ten individuals, including another judge, several lawyers, intermediaries, and the two children of the main accused.
Reduction of Sentences on Appeal
During its deliberation, the Court reduced the penalties imposed in the first instance. One co-defendant was acquitted, while the other convicted individuals received three years of prison time and a cumulative 1.2 million dirhams in fines, as reported by Al Akhbar on Friday, April 3.
The main accused, a former president of a chamber at the Court of Appeal in Tétouan, had his sentence reduced to 18 months in prison, down from three years originally. The two lawyers charged were sentenced to 16 months of imprisonment, instead of two years, while the other seven defendants — including two lawyers, a notary, and a contractor — received suspended sentences, also reduced from the initial judgment.
Key Testimony from the Judge’s Wife
During the trial, the judge’s wife testified in court, detailing how her husband manipulated verdicts in exchange for substantial bribes. She confirmed the veracity of the accusations made in her initial complaint, which had uncovered this network of corruption.
Investigation and Compelling Evidence
The investigation was marked by numerous confrontations among the accused and the exploitation of technical evidence, including mobile phones and the bank accounts of the defendants. These elements allowed the investigating judge to place the main magistrate and two lawyers in provisional detention, while the seven other defendants, suspected of collusion, were released under judicial control.
Revelations That Sparked the Scandal
The case erupted in 2023 when the judge’s wife filed a complaint with the authorities, accompanied by damning recordings. She denounced the involvement of her husband, other judges, lawyers, and officials in the manipulation of judgments for payment. She also brought to light the role of intermediaries operating within the Tétouan Court of Appeal. Her actions confirmed unjust verdicts and illegal judicial practices, exposing a deeply rooted network of corruption.
