A Moroccan examining magistrate has completed his vast investigation for sexual harassment involving the former French boss Jacques Bouthier and several of his collaborators in Morocco, we learned Thursday, January 19 from the plaintiffs' lawyer.
“
The investigating judge's investigation is now complete after the last hearings yesterday (Wednesday 18 January).
He will issue his settlement order in two weeks
,” Me Aïcha Guella told AFP.
He will have to decide whether or not to refer the suspects to the criminal chamber of the court in Tangier (northern Morocco).
"Human trafficking", "sexual harassment", "indecent assault" and "verbal and moral violence"
A total of nine people - three French and six Moroccans, including two women - have been indicted in this case, which was initiated following complaints from former employees of the brokerage group Assu 2000 (renamed Vilavi) in Tangier.
Read alsoVilavi (ex-Assu 2000) appoints a new boss to turn the page Jacques Bouthier
Six of them are in pre-trial detention and three others have been released.
They are accused of "
human trafficking
", "
sexual harassment
", "
indecent assault
" and "
verbal and moral violence
".
The alleged facts occurred between 2018 and April 2022 in Moroccan branches of the French brokerage giant in Tangier.
Seven complaints were filed against Jacques Bouthier and executives of his company.
Rare confessions
Several complainants reported systematic sexual harassment, threats and intimidation within Assu 2000 in Tangier, in a climate of social insecurity.
Rare confessions in Morocco where victims of sexual abuse often remain stigmatized by society.
Aged 75, Jacques Bouthier, a wealthy businessman, was indicted and imprisoned at the end of May in Paris for "
trafficking in human beings
" and "
rape of a minor
".
He is also being prosecuted in France for conspiracy to commit the crime of kidnapping and kidnapping in an organized gang.
