(Ecofin Agency) - In Morocco, the High Court of Casablanca condemned on March 28th, Karim Abdelghni who was charged for forgery of documents used in the spoliation of two plots of lands in the Maârif area. The accused received a 12-years prison sentence, L’Economiste reported.

Though it might seem severe, the condemnation intervenes in a particular context. Indeed, Morocco’s King, Mohammed VI, has recently officially addressed the land spoliation issue in the country to end the phenomenon which is taking concerning proportions.

“Land spoliation, a dangerous phenomenon, is spreading extremely rapidly and must be addressed quickly to prevent from negatively impacting the state and efficiency of legislation in regards to the respects of rights”, reads a statement from the King to the minister of Justice.

Regarding M. Maârif’s case, the two complainants received four million dirhams of compensation for the properties.

Souha Touré