The Attorney General at the Court of Appeal in Fes has announced the continuation of investigations regarding a complaint filed by an inmate concerning allegations of extortion and threats of imprisonment that purportedly occurred during the 2021 electoral campaign. This decision comes in light of new details revealed during a press conference held by a lawyer associated with the case, who indicated that the complaint had not previously been thoroughly investigated. The public prosecutor clarified that they had previously engaged with the complaint, with a representative visiting the prison three times to hear from the complainant. However, the case was temporarily shelved on August 29, 2025, due to the complainant's refusal to provide statements that would facilitate further investigation.
New Developments Prompt Further Inquiry
The Attorney General stated that the public prosecutor's office became aware, through the statements made by the inmate's defense during the press conference, of details related to the complaint that had not been included in its initial submission. Based on this new information, the public prosecutor expressed their intention to continue investigating the inmate's allegations of extortion and threats, emphasizing that the continuation of the inquiry does not imply the validation of the claims made in the complaint but rather aims to reactivate the process to verify the information presented and gather any available evidence or testimonies related to the case.
The complaint dates back to June 23, 2025, when the inmate, who was incarcerated at the local prison of Ras Elma, filed a complaint through his lawyer against several individuals. The allegations include claims of extortion and threats of imprisonment during the 2021 electoral campaign. The prosecutor’s announcement did not disclose the names of the accused or the nature of their affiliations, nor did it provide details regarding the methods allegedly employed in the extortion or threats. All of these allegations remain under investigation and cannot be regarded as established facts until the inquiries are completed and substantiated by evidence.
Temporary Suspension and Subsequent Developments
The public prosecutor confirmed that they had interacted with the complaint following its submission, and representatives made three separate visits to the prison to obtain clarity on the complaint and seek any supportive evidence for the claims. During these visits, the complainant expressed his unwillingness to provide statements on three occasions due to various reasons, including fatigue and awaiting consultation with his lawyer. On August 17, 2025, he announced his refusal to speak about the complaint due to entering a hunger strike.
Consequently, the inquiry was temporarily suspended on August 29, 2025, due to the absence of supportive statements from the complainant, which were deemed essential for advancing the investigation. This temporary suspension does not signify a conclusive dismissal, as it allows for the possibility of reopening the case should new evidence arise. The complainant was notified of the suspension decision; however, he declined to accept the notification.
The case resurfaced on July 14, 2026, when the complainant’s defense requested the public prosecutor to lift the suspension of the complaint. After reviewing this request, the public prosecutor concluded that it lacked any new elements justifying the reopening of the file, especially concerning the means of evidence that could substantiate the claims. Thus, the temporary suspension decision remained in effect, and the complainant was informed accordingly. However, circumstances shifted after the recent press conference, during which the public prosecutor considered some details disclosed that were not included in the original complaint.
In response to the concerns raised during the press conference regarding the investigation's inactivity, the public prosecutor reiterated that investigative measures had indeed taken place, citing the three visits to the prison in August 2025 to hear from the complainant. The prosecutor noted that the inmate's refusal to provide statements at that time hindered the progress of the investigation, particularly given the absence of adequate details and evidence within the original complaint. The public prosecutor emphasized that they responded promptly to the complaint, contrasting it with the complainant's lack of cooperation during the investigation phase.
The case is now entering a new phase following the Attorney General's announcement that the public prosecutor will resume investigations based on the new information. The forthcoming actions will likely focus on verifying the specifics that emerged during the press conference, listening to the involved parties as necessary, and collecting any available evidence related to the allegations of extortion and threats. The announcement does not indicate that formal charges have been directed at specific individuals, nor does the decision to continue the investigation imply that the alleged facts have been legally validated. Thus, the inmate's complaint regarding extortion and threats in Fes transitions from a state of temporary suspension to renewed inquiry, prompted by new information that the public prosecutor stated was not included in the original complaint, with the outcomes of the investigation set to determine if any legal repercussions are warranted.
As reported by attasiaa.com.
