Rabat – The Moroccan Association for Victims’ Rights (AMDV) has criticized the French justice system for its leniency towards notorious sex offender Jacque Bouthier.
During a press conference held on Saturday, Aicha Guellaa, the president of AMDV, expressed deep concern over the trial proceedings of Bouthier, who is currently facing charges of human trafficking, rape, and sexual harassment.
Guellaa raised eyebrows when she pointed out that Bouthier was not in custody while undergoing trial in a country that commonly portrays itself as a staunch advocate for human rights.
The apparent lack of urgency in detaining the accused has left many within the association questioning the commitment of the French justice system to ensuring justice for the victims.
The accusations against Bouthier are deeply disturbing, as they involve grave offenses committed against children in France and female workers in Morocco. Despite the severity of the charges, Guellaa lamented that the French justice system has thus far failed to hold Bouthier accountable for his actions.
Mustapha Shaimi speaking during the AMDV press conference
Pointing out France’s history of hypocrisy, Guellaa recalled how French media said that the Tata child rape case was a test for the Moroccan justice system, and insisted: “We now say that the Jacque Bouthier’s trial is a test for the French justice system.”
“The rich businessman committed heinous sex crimes against children that were kidnapped, and sexually assaulted. And just because he is rich he is still enjoying his freedom,” she explained.
The AMDV president further pointed out the weakness of Bouthier defense, which cited health and mental conditions as reasons to allow him to stay out of prison.
“How is it possible to question the mental and physical health of a man who was successfully managing one of the biggest insurance companies in France and through which he was exploiting workers,” she added.
The Bouthier Trials
Jacque Bouthier, known as the owner of Assu 2000, an insurance company commonly referred to as Vilavi Group, also operates a branch in Tangier, northern Morocco, under the name Euro-Assurance.
The Bouthier case came to light when a 22-year-old woman of Moroccan origin lodged a complaint against Bouthier in Paris earlier this year, in March.
As part of her testimony, the woman revealed that Bouthier had held her captive for five years and repeatedly raped her.
The woman disclosed shocking information indicating that the rape incidents had occurred when she was a minor. She further shared that Bouthier had told her she was “becoming too old” and coerced her into finding a 14-year-old replacement.
In a remarkable turn of events, the 22-year-old woman recorded Bouthier and the minor victim in bed, providing the police with crucial evidence in the form of footage.
AMDV President, Aicha Guellaa, speaking during the press conference
French news outlet BFMTV has raised concerns about the possibility of more victims of Bouthier in Morocco, particularly in Tangier, where Assu 2000 operated a branch.
According to Khamisse, a former employee and manager of Assu 2000 in Tangier, Bouthier appeared to select victims during his visits to Morocco. He targeted young, thin, and smaller-sized Moroccan women, Khamisse said in a statement to the media, adding that Bouthier seemed to “flirt with anything that moved.”
Another employee, Ghita, who worked at Assu 2000 in Tangier, disclosed that she received multiple complaints from girls regarding Bouthier’s inappropriate behavior. Ghita revealed that most of the young women privately expressed discomfort with Bouthier touching their breasts, but they refrained from filing formal complaints against him.
“When I reported the incidents to my managers, they advised me not to make a big deal out of it. Their response was to downplay the situation,” Ghita revealed.
She further mentioned that she warned the girls, advising them to avoid Bouthier when he was around, and encouraging them to take breaks or use the bathroom to avoid his presence.
Reports in the French media indicate that, in addition to Bouthier, several other individuals, including employees within his company, have been charged for their failure to report incidents of sexual assault against employees.
Bouthier now faces multiple charges, including human trafficking, rape, and sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15.
Read Also: Jacque Bouthier Case: Moroccans Among Sexual Assaults’ Victims
