فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fes – Lawyer Mohamed Hassi, defending former Oulad Tayeb Commune president Rashed Al-Fayeq, revealed details of a new complaint concerning an alleged “800 million centimes electoral bribe” offered to facilitate his rise and that of other candidates in the 2021 elections. He affirmed that his client refused the bribe and filed the complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. This came in press statements attempting to defend his client amid expectations of new electoral files exploding before the upcoming polls. Fes Markets
Hassi clarified that Al-Fayeq’s complaint submitted to the Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses “two parties” (whose identities he did not disclose) of attempting to offer an electoral bribe amounting to 800 million centimes. He indicated that his client refused the offer, and the two parties suggested converting the amount into an “advance,” which prompted him to file the complaint. The lawyer confirmed he has not yet verified whether the Public Prosecutor’s Office has referred the file to the King’s Prosecutor General in Fes for a preliminary investigation, stressing the “confidentiality of the investigation at this stage.”
Furthermore, Hasi revealed that Al-Fayeq “is preparing to detonate several bombs” with “greater impact” related to the electoral process, affirming that his client “possesses audio recordings that could implicate certain officials.” The lawyer avoided answering questions about the timing of the complaint (near elections), stating: “I leave the answer to the astuteness of observers, who can analyze the situation considering the chronological timing and the current political context.”
In a related context, judicial rulings issued in December 2022 show that Al-Fayeq is already convicted in a major corruption case. The Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal of Fes (responsible for financial crimes) sentenced him to 6 years in prison and a fine of 1 million dirhams on charges related to corruption in the urban planning sector during his presidency of the Oulad Tayeb Commune. Fes Markets
Details of the 2022 Case Rulings:
- Rashed Al-Fayeq (Main Accused): 6 years imprisonment + 1 million dirhams fine.
- His brother, Jawad Al-Fayeq (Former President of Fes Prefecture Council): 3 years imprisonment + 50,000 dirhams fine.
- Al-Fayeq’s Private Secretary: 1.5 years imprisonment + 30,000 dirhams fine.
- Commune Employee: 1 year imprisonment + 1,500 dirhams fine.
- Authorized Signatory Member: 9 months imprisonment + 1,000 dirhams fine.
- Deputy of the Communal Land Council and Local Authority Agent: 9 months imprisonment each.
- Engineer: 6 months imprisonment + 10,000 dirhams fine.
- Other Accused: Sentences ranging from one year to less, including both prison time and suspended sentences.
The list of charges brought by the Public Prosecutor’s Office included: bribery, forgery in official documents, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds, eliminating competitors through fraudulent means, abuse of influence, unlawfully issuing administrative certificates, and establishing a residential complex on communal lands without a permit. Fes Markets
The lawyer’s revelation of “audio recordings” and electoral “bombs” comes at a time when Morocco is preparing for upcoming legislative elections. This opens the door to significant potential legal and political developments that could affect prominent figures, especially since Al-Fayeq was a regional coordinator for the “Dove Party” (which the lawyer did not explicitly name).
Sources: Statements by Lawyer Mohamed Hassi to local media + Judicial rulings issued by the Court of Appeal of Fes (21/12/2022)
From: Fes News
