From campaign violence to hacking claims, seven election-linked probes open in Morocco

Moroccan prosecutors and police have opened at least seven investigations linked to the parliamentary election campaign since early September, according to cases documented by Hespress, with the latest inquiry examining a leaked audio recording that authorities say could affect perceptions of electoral integrity.

The public prosecutor at the Settat Court of Appeal said Saturday that investigators would examine how the recording was made, leaked and circulated, verify its contents and determine whether any criminal offenses were committed.

In Kenitra, prosecutors ordered an investigation after a candidate claimed at a political gathering that proceeds from a large quantity of drugs could be used to influence the elections.

In Chichaoua, authorities opened another inquiry after three people allegedly used a mosque loudspeaker to invite worshippers to a partisan gathering, conduct prohibited by Morocco’s electoral law.

Judicial police in Settat also opened a case after a PAM office was vandalized, while two people were detained following an armed attack on a Popular Movement office in Berrechid.

Prosecutors in Tiznit separately ordered an investigation into a Facebook post alleged to incite violence against RNI candidate Abdellah Ghazi.

Casablanca prosecutors assigned the National Judicial Police Brigade to investigate Popular Movement leader Mohamed Ouzzine’s claims that his party had faced phone surveillance and attempted hacking.

In 2021, Prosecutors received 1,159 election-related complaints during that cycle, which covered parliamentary, regional, communal, professional and House of Councillors elections. Of those, 1,018, or about 88%, were closed without prosecution, while 134 resulted in prosecutions and three were referred for formal judicial investigation.

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