Rabat – The Court of First Instance in Tangier has begun proceedings against a municipal councillor from the city who is alleged to have been involved in a Schengen visa trafficking operation at the Spanish consulate. The shocking case was revealed by the Moroccan newspaper Al Akhbar on August 15. According to the report, the councillor is expected to appear before the court by the end of this month to answer to the charges levelled against her.
The councillor, who represents the city of Tangier, faces a range of serious charges, including fraud. She has been placed in preventive detention at the Assilah women’s prison while awaiting trial. Other individuals implicated in the case have been granted provisional release.
Sources suggest that the councillor’s forthcoming court appearance could shed new light on the scandal that has sent shockwaves throughout the city of Tangier. Key details of the operation that led to the councillor’s alleged involvement in securing a Schengen visa for the complainant are expected to be revealed during the trial.
The scandal’s origins trace back to a complaint filed by a woman identified as M.M., residing in the coastal Moroccan city of Azemmour. M.M. reportedly needed a work contract in Spain after returning from Qatar.
She claims to have received assurances from the accused councillor, her sister living in Italy, and another individual based in Tangier. To facilitate the process, the victim alleges that she was advised to change her residential address on her national ID card and passport. The address provided was that of the municipal councillor.
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To support this alteration, the councillor reportedly supplied M.M. with an administrative document attesting to their shared residence in Tangier. This document has raised the eyebrows of the investigating judge, who is examining it alongside other evidence, including audio recordings and records of money transfers, according to sources close to the newspaper.
The case has put a spotlight on the alleged abuse of power by an elected representative and has caused widespread outrage in Tangier and beyond. The case also highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of visa application processes and holding those in positions of authority accountable for their actions. The trial promises to be a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice in this complex and far-reaching Schengen visa trafficking scandal.
