Prosecutor charges for corruption managers of the oldest charity in Morocco

Several managers of the first Islamic Charity Association in Morocco have been charged for corruption and embezzlement by the General Prosecutor after their arrest following an enquiry ordered by King Mohammed VI.

A press release from the General Prosecutor said these people have been arrested, following the monarch's instructions to open an investigation into the deterioration of the charity's building. Among those arrested are the Delegate President of the Association, the Director and the assistant director, the Secretary General, the Accountant, the Storekeeper, and the Personnel Department Manager. They face charges of embezzlement and dilapidation of public money, forgery and smuggling of commercial and administrative documents, depriving children of alimentation and care, identity theft, false pretences and acceptance of cheques as a guarantee.

The prosecutor also ordered the seizure of their and their wives' assets, bank accounts and properties.

King Mohammed VI had ordered the investigation after a visit, April 2, to this building during which deplored the poor conditions of its residents. The monarch noted the "bad management of the institution and its calamitous repercussions on life conditions and education of the children."

The institution expected to provide care to children, lacks health services though it enjoys permanent financial resources notably from real-estate receipts, animals slaughtering taxes and benefactors donations and contributions.

In addition to the opening of an enquiry, the king gave his instructions to the state Secretariat General to work with concerned parties on amending the law governing charity associations to prevent such cases and to assure that associations hosting children, youngsters, women and old people will play their humanitarian role.

Built in 1927, the Casablanca-based Ain Chock Islamic Charity House provides shelter for some 700 children and youngsters.