New developments in the case of the Bni Drar commune president before the Financial Crimes Court in Fez

The Criminal Appeals Chamber responsible for financial crimes at the Fez Court of Appeal decided on Wednesday to postpone the legal case against Yazid Ben Arabia, president of the “Bni Drar” commune (Oujda-Angad prefecture), until October 21st.

According to the available data, this judicial step, presided over by judge Mohamed Ben Maachou, was taken to implement the necessary legal procedures for applying trial in absentia against the accused.

The details of the case date back to the first-instance trial, where the criminal chamber, presided over by judge Mohamed Lahya, had previously issued a verdict acquitting the accused of the charge of “embezzlement and squandering of public funds.” This decision was immediately appealed by the Crown Prosecutor.

Previously, the investigating judge of the first chamber specialized in financial crimes had referred the case to the first-instance chamber, considering there was sufficient evidence to support the felony of embezzlement and squandering of public funds in accordance with current laws. The individual was prosecuted while in a state of release after the completion of detailed investigations, confrontation with documents, and the hearing of several witnesses and declarants in the case.