Authorities in Morocco have arrested three individuals, including a contractor and two local government officials, for allegedly defrauding victims of the September 8, 2023, earthquake that struck several regions of the country.
The suspects, a contractor, the fourth deputy of the Amghras municipal council, and an employee of the same municipality, were brought before the public prosecutor at the Marrakech Court of First Instance on Wednesday. Following their hearing, the court ordered their detention on charges of fraud, forgery, and complicity. The three have been transferred to Loudaya prison near Marrakech pending further legal proceedings.
According to local law enforcement, the Royal Gendarmerie in Amzmiz arrested the contractor on Monday after receiving instructions from the relevant public prosecutor’s office. An initial investigation revealed that the contractor allegedly scammed earthquake victims in several communities within the Amzmiz district. During questioning, the contractor implicated the two municipal officials, leading to their arrest.
The case was initiated following complaints from residents of Takzit, a village in the rural municipality of Ouzguita, who reported being defrauded in a reconstruction scheme. The Ministry of the Interior has confirmed its commitment to prosecuting those responsible and enforcing legal measures against them.
In response to a parliamentary inquiry from Aicha Kout, a member of the Justice and Development Party’s parliamentary group, the Ministry of the Interior disclosed that one contractor had defrauded 14 beneficiaries in the village of Taghzout in Amkdal municipality and four others in the village of Tinmel in the Talat N’Yacoub municipality. The contractor allegedly failed to complete reconstruction projects and violated technical regulations.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, emphasizing their commitment to protecting the rights of earthquake victims and holding accountable those who exploit disaster relief efforts.
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