فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Settat, Morocco – June 6, 2024: The former president of the commune of Mekarto, currently the first vice-president of the provincial council, is appearing before the criminal chamber of the first instance court of the Settat Court of Appeal. He is facing charges, along with two other defendants, of forgery and the use of official documents.
In the previous hearing, an arrest warrant was issued for one of the defendants after he failed to comply with the order to appear before the criminal chamber within eight days. He now faces the risk of suspension of his civil rights, confiscation of his property, a ban on pleading before any court, and immediate arrest.
The case, involving the first vice-president of the Settat provincial council, an official, and a businessman, was referred to the criminal chamber of the court by the investigating judge of the Settat Court of Appeal. This step follows a request from the general prosecutor’s office to investigate the accusations of forgery and the use of official documents, in accordance with Articles 352, 353 and 356 of the Penal Code.
The case dates back to September 2022, when a migrant residing in Italy, originally from the commune of Mekarto, filed a complaint with the King’s General Prosecutor at the Settat Court of Appeal. He accused several people, including the former president of the commune of Mekarto, of forming a criminal gang, forgery and treason. The complainant stated that he had left his car, a Volkswagen, with the commune president, whom he trusted, during his travels between Morocco and Italy.
Upon his return to Morocco, he discovered a power of attorney among the car’s papers, apparently signed in his name, but he noticed that the signature was not his. It is alleged that the former president, taking advantage of his absence and position, had validated the power of attorney with the help of another person, on December 4, 2017, without the presence or consent of the owner.
This case highlights the questionable practices of some local elected officials and the need for increased vigilance in the management of public affairs. The upcoming hearings are expected to shed more light on the responsibilities of each party and the legal consequences of the acts reproached.
