Moroccan court may set historic precedent on innocent till proven guilty concept
Morocco, Judicial, 12/19/2003

The special court of justice will Rule on Monday in the temporary release request made by the defense of Mounir Erramach, who is prosecuted, together with senior police, county police and customs officials, as well as magistrates, court clerks, a local official and businessmen.

These individuals are sued for power abuse, corruption, public funds embezzlement, international drugs trafficking, non-denunciation, divulging of professional secrets and complicity.

The defense pleaded for the temporary release on the basis of the assumption that anyone shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The court, which had put off looking into the case until December 23, has been investigation for three months with the 31 members of the group, including Erramach, 29.

Mounir Erramch and 17 others were brought before the Tetouan appeal court after a dispute broke out between two rival groups in the northern city of Tetouan.

Charges facing the defendants include "criminal association, international drugs trafficking within an organized network, premeditated homicide attempt, unlicensed possession of firearms."

Investigations showed that Erramach had established dubious relations with senior officials in the region to facilitate his illegal activities.

Previous Stories:
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  Morocco proposes novell concepts in law: Innocent till proven guilty, and due process principles   (8/18/1999)

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