Casablanca judge detained over Hicham Jerando leaked recordings

Earlier this week, hackers managed to access telephone communications, as well as social media exchanges, between Hicham Jerando and his sources in Morocco. Those behind the hack then published the audio recordings on an online platform created specifically for that purpose.

Moroccan judicial authorities immediately took up the case and began examining the leaked data and conversations.

Initial findings from the investigation, which is still in its early stages, have revealed the alleged involvement of a judge serving in Casablanca, identified by the initials O.T. He is said to have exchanged messages with Hicham Jerando on sensitive matters via social media. The information allegedly helped feed content published by the Moroccan YouTuber, who is based in Canada.

The judge was questioned on Thursday in Casablanca by an investigating magistrate so that he could give his version of events. On Friday, O.T. was then brought before the Salé Court of Appeal, which ordered that he be placed in pretrial detention at El Arjate prison, Yabiladi has learned from sources close to the case.

The leak of Hicham Jerando’s recordings could implicate other individuals who allegedly provided the YouTuber with significant information.

The case comes as the Superior Court of Quebec ordered Hicham Jerando to pay substantial sums in Canadian dollars to Jamal Lahrour, deputy public prosecutor at the Aïn Sebaâ Court of First Instance in Casablanca, and to Mohamed Loulidi, head of security in Tetouan.