Fez court increases sentences for ex-official and mayor in corruption case

The Court of Appeals in Fez on Wednesday significantly increased the sentence of Abdelkader El Boussairi, a former member of parliament and deputy mayor of Fez. El Boussairi was initially convicted of five years for embezzlement, bribery, and other corruption charges. The Appeals Court raised his sentence to eight years.

The court also overturned the acquittal of Fez Mayor Abdeslam Bekkali and City Clerk Sofiane El Idrissi, convicting them of six months each for manipulating contracts.

Four public servants also received increased sentences for their involvement in the corruption scandal. Their sentences range from five months to three years in prison. The court upheld the initial four-month sentences for three other public servants.

The case stems from administrative and financial irregularities within the Fez municipality. These irregularities came to light after a deal involving the sale of supposedly junk cars from the municipal detention center. It was later discovered that the cars were resold as usable vehicles with forged documents.

Last October, El Boussairi was removed from his position as deputy mayor and his membership in the city council by the Fez Administrative Court.