Police probe in case of former governor, mayor unveiled breaches, Minister

The police probe in the case of a former governor and a former president of the Casablanca urban Community, who are sued, along with 16 other individuals, for embezzlement and other charges, unveiled breaches to the law, said justice minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa.

In an interview aired Friday by Morocco's second TV channel, 2M, Bouzoubaa said a preliminary investigation unveiled that the commune's funds were not used for the projects they were earmarked for.

Abdelaziz Laffoura, Abdelmoughit Slimani and 16 other people among whom an architect and an entrepreneur, appeared before the Rabat-based Special Court of Justice on charges of embezzlement, power abuse and forgery. Ten of them are held in custody, including Laffoura and Slimani.

They were prosecuted following a complaint by the Swiss entrepreneur Jean Victor against Abdelmoughit Slimani for financial irregularities in carrying out two housing projects in Casablanca and breach of procedures regulating public contracts.

It is the first time a former governor is brought to justice for embezzlement.