Jacques Bouthier Case: Morocco to Send Rogatory Commission to France

Rabat – A Moroccan rogatory commission will be established to aid in the investigation of the sexual scandal involving the former French executive and several of his collaborators in Morocco, according to a statement from Aicha Guellaa, the lawyer representing the victims and President of the Moroccan Association for the Rights of Victims (AMDV).

The commission’s primary objective is to conduct an interview with Jacques Bouthier, who currently faces multiple charges in France, including “human trafficking” and “rape of a minor.”

Guellaa confirmed that the Court of Tangier has approved their request for a rogatory commission in France, marking an important step in the pursuit of truth and justice.

Jacques Bouthier, the former CEO of Assu 2000, a prominent insurance brokerage group, was released on bail for medical reasons in March 2023 after spending ten months in detention.

Guellaa expressed disappointment, accusing the French justice system of succumbing to financial pressures and failing to pursue the case while Bouthier was in custody.

Although Jacques Bouthier is not currently facing charges in Morocco, eight of his collaborators, including six Moroccans (two of whom are women) and two French nationals, are being prosecuted for offenses such as “human trafficking,” “sexual harassment,” “incitement to debauchery,” and “failure to report attempted or consummated crimes.”

Four of the defendants remain in custody, while the others have been released on provisional liberty. The trial was scheduled to resume on July 25th at the criminal chamber of the Court of Appeal in Tangier.

In addition to seeking Jacques Bouthier’s interview, the Moroccan authorities have also issued an arrest warrant through the Prosecutor General of the Court of Appeal in Tangier for another suspect who fled to France. The individual is the former general manager of Assu 2000’s Tangier subsidiary, identified as a French-Tunisian national, according to AMDV.

The scandal emerged following complaints filed by former employees in Tangier in June 2022. The alleged incidents took place between 2018 and April 2022 within various branches of Assu 2000 while Bouthier held a leadership position.

Six plaintiffs have come forward as civil parties, bravely testifying about systematic sexual harassment, threats, and intimidation within the insurance brokerage firm in Tangier.