Rabat – A Moroccan court in Tangier sentenced today seven suspects for their involvement in the case of French businessman Jacques Bouthier, who was detained in May 2022 over a series of rape allegations against Moroccan women.
AFP reported today that one defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison while six others were handed four years in prison each.
A suspect received a six-month suspended sentence, lawyer Aicha Guella told AFP.
The suspects, six Moroccans and two French nationals, faced several charges, including human trafficking, sexual harassment, and failure to report attempted or committed crimes.
The sexual assaults took place between 2018 and 2022 in the Assu 2000 branch in Tangier, which was headed by its former CEO Bouthier.
Bouthier, 77, was detained in 2022 but was released in March 2023 after posting bail of €500,000.
His release sparked protests near the French embassy in Rabat by many women and activists who condemned the decision.
Authorities in France, however, ruled that Bouthier’s release was only temporary because he needed to get the right medical treatment as he was suffering from “malnutrition.”
The case started when a 22-year-old woman of Moroccan origin filed a complaint against Bouthier in Paris in March 2022.
The woman testified that Bouthier held her captive for five years and repeatedly raped her.
In July 2022, more women came forward with sexual harassment claims against Bouthier, bringing the number of his Moroccan victims to seven.
Bouthier is facing charges of human trafficking, sexual harassment, assault, and verbal violence.
He was previously arrested in France for human trafficking and raping a minor. A preliminary investigation in May last year found him and four others guilty of sexual misconduct.
