In a recent court ruling, Zine El Abidine El Howass, known as “Moul 17 milliards,” the former deputy and mayor of Had Soualem, has seen his initial sentence of 7 years in prison extended to 9 years on appeal earlier this week.
The verdict was delivered following El Howass’ involvement in various crimes, including embezzlement of public funds, extortion, forgery, and corruption.
The case dates back to June 2017 when a police operation near Casablanca led to the arrest of El Howass and several of his accomplices. A significant amount of money was seized during the raid.
Although some media outlets had reported the seizure of 17 billion centimes in cash (equivalent to 170 million dirhams), this information was formally denied by the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).
Numerous complaints were filed in 2017 by real estate developers. The former mayor was accused of awarding a 80 million dirhams contract for an urban development project in the municipality, bypassing the competitive bidding process.
He was also alleged to have ordered the cutting down of a series of eucalyptus trees along a national road, with the wood being used to fuel his hammams.
The court’s decision to increase El Howass’s sentence highlights the seriousness of the charges against him and sends a strong message against corruption and abuse of power.
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