Casablanca’s Criminal Court of Appeal has postponed the trial of the “Sahara Escobar,” fraud and drug trafficking case to December 13, 2024, following a hearing on Friday.
The session saw a large turnout, with the defendants family and journalists in attendance. During the hearing, defense teams focused on presenting procedural objections to the charges.
The defendants face charges of forging official documents by fabricating and using false agreements, participating in a scheme to possess, trade, transport, and export drugs, attempting to export drugs, fraud, attempted fraud, and abuse of power.
The judge on the case has charged 23 individuals, including Saeed Al-Nasiri, former president of the Wydad Casablanca football club and ex-leader of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and Abdenbi Bioui, the former president of the Oujda-Nador-Berkane Region and another PAM leader.
These 23 defendants, among 25 total suspects—including officials and elected representatives—are currently being held in custody after being referred to the judge by the public prosecutor.