Court Delays Proceedings in Fes' Notorious Fake Invoice Network Case
The criminal court in Fes has decided to postpone the hearings regarding the widely reported "Fake Invoice Network," involving the president of the Taza regional council, Abdelilah Baaziz, along with eleven other defendants, including several contractors. The new hearing is scheduled for July 24. During the recent session, significant developments unfolded, particularly the court's decision to grant temporary release to defendant Rashid Baaziz, contingent upon a bail of 10,000 dirhams, provided he is not detained for another reason. Meanwhile, other requests for temporary release were denied, and four defendants remain in pre-trial detention, although some other defendants in the case have previously benefited from temporary release.
According to available information, the accused have insisted on their right to have legal representation present while the public prosecutor requested additional time to respond to procedural objections raised during the session. This request comes amid an ongoing strike by legal associations across Morocco that has persisted for five consecutive weeks. The court is expected to continue deliberations on this case in the upcoming session scheduled for July 24, part of a judicial process that began on April 10, following complaints lodged by twelve individuals who identified themselves as victims, along with testimonies from eight witnesses during the investigations.
The president of the Taza regional council faces charges related to fraud, forgery of public and commercial documents, the fabrication of certificates containing false information, and tax fraud through the presentation of fictitious invoices. Other defendants are facing various charges that include complicity in forgery, use of counterfeit documents, tax fraud, and fraud as outlined in the prosecution's proceedings.
As reported by agadirtv.ma.
