Fez psychiatrist sentenced to 20 years for sexually assaulting patients

The preliminary criminal chamber of the Court of Appeal in Fez has sentenced a local psychiatrist to 20 years in prison and fined him 200,000 dirhams after convicting him of human trafficking. The case involved the sexual assault of female patients at his private clinic, as well as charges related to the possession and consumption of hard drugs, including heroin, and facilitating their use by others.

The psychiatrist, who specialized in treating mental health disorders and addiction, was arrested in June last year following a complaint filed by his wife. She accused him of exploiting women in vulnerable psychological states, sexually assaulting them in his clinic, and recording the acts. The offenses were uncovered after incriminating videos were found on his mobile phone.

In the same case, the court also sentenced six other defendants. Three were held in custody, while three were prosecuted while out on bail. They received varying prison terms and fines on charges including participation in human trafficking, facilitating drug use, and consuming hard drugs.

The indictment also covered additional offenses, including drug possession and use, involvement in abortion, impersonation of a regulated profession, habitual tolerance of prostitution, and unlawful interference in a public function.

Among those convicted, a photographer was sentenced to six years in prison and fined 10,000 dirhams. The psychiatrist’s cousin, a carpenter, received five years in prison and a 50,000 dirham fine. A retired nurse was sentenced to one year in prison and fined 5,000 dirhams.

A university professor specializing in psychology received a six-month prison sentence and a 5,000 dirham fine. A Belgian national who owns a tourist riad, along with one of his employees, was also sentenced to one year in prison; the owner was fined 20,000 dirhams and the employee 5,000 dirhams.