An official working at the Moroccan consulate in Dubai was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay a fine by a court in Rabat following his involvement in a financial embezzlement case. The verdict was handed down on Monday.

Prosecution and Investigation

The multi-year embezzlement case was uncovered thanks to an internal investigation conducted by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A commission of inquiry, dispatched to Dubai at the behest of Minister Nasser Bourita, confirmed the existence of serious irregularities in the management of consular funds.

Consequently, the ministry has referred the matter to the prosecutor's office specializing in financial crimes in Rabat to initiate legal proceedings.

Legal Proceedings and Verdict

1. Arrest and Cooperation: The convicted official was arrested upon his return to Morocco, after being summoned by the central authorities. When confronted with the inspection reports, he initially blamed his co-defendant, claiming he hadn't seen him return to the country.
2. The Fugitive Co-Defendant: The main suspect in this case remains actively sought . Having fled the United Arab Emirates before the investigation was completed, he is the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by the Moroccan judiciary via Interpol for his arrest and extradition.
3. Conviction: Despite the dismissal of the charges, the court found sufficient evidence to establish the arrested executive's involvement in embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and forgery. The fugitive remains subject to the law.

This verdict underlines the determination of the Moroccan authorities to fight corruption and irregularities within its diplomatic and consular missions.