The First Instance Court in Settat held a hearing on February 7, for the “Sex for Grades” case that plagued a local university in Settat, where both witnesses and defendants were heard by the judge.
The session started with the four accused professors pleading not guilty, and denying the accusations against them. The accused professors were heard in a secret session, based on a petition previously submitted by their defense.
The court additionally denied a request from civil society actors to attend the hearing as “observers,” and decided all hearings, in this case, will be held in closed sessions.
According to Hespress AR, the concerned professors refuted what was stated in the judicial police reports resulting from the initial accusations and investigation, namely accusations of sexual harassment and extortion.
The professors all stated before the court that the claims were nothing but retaliation from the female students after the professors all took action against them for various banned practices.
According to Hespress AR sources, the hearing also included female student witnesses whose statements had been part of the initial judicial police investigation, who denied thinking the charges against some of the professors were true.
The witness in question stated that she had “lengthy conversations with the accused,” and he had never harassed her.
A second character witness also vouched for the professor’s behavior amid their professional and academic relationship.
The Court of First Instance in the capital of Chaouia is still continuing its hearings relating to the case.
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