Craft Chamber Case Returns to Court

The case concerning financial irregularities attributed to the management of the Craft Chamber in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region has returned to the judicial spotlight, with proceedings scheduled to continue on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, before the Criminal Chamber of the Rabat Court of Appeal, which specializes in financial crimes. This case has sparked widespread debate regarding the management of public funds and the oversight of projects linked to elected professional institutions.

The case involves allegations of embezzlement, squandering of public funds, forgery of official documents, and abuse of power, stemming from alleged irregularities in the management of certain projects and administrative documents during M'hamed El Hamidi's tenure as president of the Chamber—accusations that have remained a subject of judicial debate between the parties involved.

On December 23, 2024, the primary Criminal Chamber issued a verdict sentencing El Hamidi to two years in prison, one of which was suspended, while other defendants received varying sentences or were acquitted, depending on their individual circumstances and the acts attributed to them.

The initial verdict was appealed, returning the case to the appellate court to re-examine the facts, evidence, and legal arguments, within the framework of the guarantees provided by law to the parties concerned.

Certain aspects of the case relate to documents and minutes associated with the handover of projects completed within the Chamber's jurisdiction, as well as questions raised regarding the integrity of administrative procedures and the signatures affixed to them—details that require a distinction between the suspicions contained in the file and the responsibilities that the judiciary may establish.

The appellate process holds particular significance given the questions the case raises regarding financial governance and oversight mechanisms within professional institutions, as well as the effectiveness of measures intended to ensure transparency in the management of public resources.