Latest news with #CasablancaCourtofAppeal
Morocco World
20-05-2025
- Morocco World
Court Delays Turbo's Trial in Murder of Rim Fikri's Husband
Rabat – The criminal chamber of the Casablanca Court of Appeal has postponed until June 9 the appeal trial of Reda Abakrim, known as 'Turbo,' a suspected drug baron accused of multiple kidnappings and murders, including that of the husband of Moroccan singer Rim Fikri. The delay comes as the court seeks to hear again from Rim Fikri, a civil party in the case, and due to the absence of a defense lawyer for the main defendant. Abakrim informed the court he has not yet appointed legal representation. This highly publicized case has taken many turns since Abakrim's arrest in connection with the alleged murder of Fikri's husband. Although initially acquitted in a lower court ruling on April 18, 2023, new evidence has prompted authorities to retry him, compelling his presence in court from his current detention. In addition to Abakrim, several other defendants, Saïd A., Mohammed J., Abbas M., Hassan M., and Zakaria D., are also being prosecuted for charges including kidnapping, unlawful detention, torture, and premeditated murder. Reda Abakrim is simultaneously facing another trial related to the 2007 murder of Brahim Hajaji in La Coudraie, Poissy (France). He had previously been convicted in absentia by a French court in June 2020 and sentenced to 21 years in prison for drug-related homicide. Despite being acquitted in Morocco on similar charges, his arrest in December 2020 at Casablanca Airport reopened the door for both Moroccan and French judicial actions. He was first apprehended for using a false passport, but authorities quickly discovered he was the subject of an international arrest warrant. According to civil party lawyer Mohamed Aghanaj, Abakrim narrowly escaped arrest in Dubai before being captured in Morocco. Aghanaj, who represents the family of the victim, expressed surprise at Abakrim's initial acquittal, noting that the accused holds Moroccan nationality, making him prosecutable under Moroccan law. Who Is 'Turbo'? Now 41, Reda Abakrim earned the nickname 'Turbo' for his role in organizing 'go fast' drug convoys, high-speed vehicles used to smuggle cannabis from Morocco to France. He is regarded by French and Moroccan authorities as one of the most prominent figures in the drug trafficking world. The trial's next session is expected to shed more light on both the circumstances surrounding the murder of Rim Fikri's husband and Abakrim's broader criminal network. Tags: drug baron turboRim fikriturbo
Ya Biladi
05-04-2025
- Ya Biladi
Provisional release granted in high-profile Bennis-Alj-Slaoui case amidst key withdrawals
On Friday, April 4, the investigating judge at the Casablanca Court of Appeal granted provisional release to the four suspects in the the Bennis-Alj-Slaoui rape case, according to a defense lawyer cited by Le360. Kamil Bennis, M'hammed Alj, Saad Slaoui, and Ahmed Daghbour had been in custody since November 2024, charged with the rape of French national Félix Sixtine and the assault and battery of her partner, Mohamed Amine Naguib. The decision follows a major turning point in the case: the withdrawal of Félix Sixtine's rape complaint on March 7. She stated that she could no longer recall part of the evening spent at Bennis's home and that her initial account did not accurately reflect the events. A confrontation between her and the accused was held before the investigating judge on March 28. Meanwhile, Mohamed Amine Naguib also withdrew his complaint, though he maintained his testimony against the four men. He is currently serving a four-month prison sentence for defamation against the lawyer of one of the accused. As of now, the prosecution has not appealed the decision to release the suspects. The trial of the four accused is still expected to go ahead.
Ya Biladi
24-03-2025
- Ya Biladi
Abderrahim Bioui denies links to «Escobar of the Sahara» and drug trafficking
Abderrahim Bioui, brother of the former president of the Oriental region, reaffirmed before the Criminal Chamber of the Casablanca Court of Appeal that he had no connection to Ahmed Benbrahim, also known as the «Escobar of the Sahara». He denied knowing him and refuted any involvement in drug trafficking, declaring, «Traffickers should be sentenced to the death penalty», Assabah reports in its Monday, March 24 edition. According to the newspaper, Bioui also disputed statements made by the Malian suspect to the judicial police, insisting that he had never traveled with his brother and did not know the individuals implicated in the case. He further claimed that his business—his primary source of income—had suffered a 35% loss since his detention. Regarding Saïd Naciri, the former president of Wydad Casablanca, who is also detained in this case, Bioui stated that he had met him only once and was unaware of his identity, explaining that he had no interest in sports. When questioned about five trucks allegedly provided to him by the Malian suspect, Bioui clarified that an analysis of their GPS data by the National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) showed they had not moved since 2017. He also presented their registration documents to prove their origin, refuting claims that they were of Chinese manufacture. The court also addressed the seizure of a truck carrying 40 tons of cannabis resin. Bioui denied any knowledge of it, asserting that his vehicles were used exclusively for quarry operations. He further explained that metal recovered from dismantled machinery was sold by weight to prevent any fraudulent use. As for the origin of the funds in his possession, he stated that they came from his agricultural and mining activities, citing revenues of 100 million dirhams from agriculture and 20 million from livestock, in addition to profits from his quarries. He maintained that he had all the necessary documents to prove the legality of his assets, prompting the Prosecutor's Office to request their verification, Assabah concludes.
Morocco World
08-03-2025
- Morocco World
French Plaintiff Withdraws Rape Complaint in Bennis-Alj-Slaoui Case
Doha – A surprsing twist emerged in the high-profile Bennis-Alj-Slaoui case on Friday as the plaintiff, French lawyer Sixtine Felix, withdrew her rape complaint against Kamil Bennis in Casablanca's Court of Appeal. The case, which has been ongoing for several months, involves Bennis and two other defendants, M'hamed Alj and Saâd Slaoui, who have been held in preventive detention at Oukacha prison in Casablanca since November. According to Moroccan news outlet Le360, Felix appeared before an investigating judge at the Casablanca Court of Appeal accompanied by her lawyer, Khadija Rouggany. During the hearing, she formally withdrew her complaint against Bennis, stating that she had been unconscious during the evening in question at Bennis's residence and that her previous account did not align with reality. This withdrawal comes after several major developments in the case. In December, Felix's fiancé, Mohamed Amine Naguib, had already withdrawn his complaint against the three men for assault, injury, and detention. At that time, Felix had maintained her position, stating in a December 31 interview with Le360 that she had no intention of withdrawing her complaint, citing her French citizenship and professional status as factors that made her resistant to pressure. Read also: Custody of Moroccan Billionaires' Sons Extended As Rape Investigation Continues The case took another turn following a December 24 hearing where twelve witnesses reportedly refuted the rape accusations. This was followed by confrontations between the accused, the plaintiff, and witnesses. On February 27, Felix maintained her initial version of events before the investigating judge, claiming she had been drugged with GHB, commonly known as the 'date rape drug,' though no medical analysis confirmed this claim. Throughout the investigation, Bennis has consistently maintained that the sexual encounter with Felix was consensual and denied administering any drugs. The other defendants have also denied accusations of assault against Naguib and any involvement in the alleged rape. A seismic turn in the case unfolded on January 5 when Naguib was placed in preventive detention at Oukacha prison for 'violating the secrecy of the investigation and instruction of the case.' Multiple witnesses present at the evening gathering at Bennis's residence have corroborated the defendants' version of events, stating that Naguib was highly agitated and had allegedly struck both his partner and another guest. While the investigating judge has not yet ruled on final charges or granted provisional release to the accused, Felix's withdrawal is expected to expedite the case's resolution. However, the public prosecutor's office may still pursue criminal action if it determines that the alleged offenses are of public interest or constitute a serious or flagrant violation. Tags: Bennis-Alj-Slaoui CaseMoroccan Justice
