Postponement of Appeal Proceedings for Professor Rachid Cherkab
In a significant development in Morocco’s legal landscape, the Casablanca Court of Appeal has rescheduled the appeal proceedings for Professor Rachid Cherkab and two of his colleagues, initially set for November 2, to November 16. This decision grants the defense team additional time to meticulously examine case documents and formulate their legal arguments. The postponement was granted during the court’s Criminal Appeals Chamber hearing, following a formal request from the defense for extended time to review the case file, as reported by Le360.
During the initial hearing, the defense team also sought provisional release for both Professor Cherkab, an anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist, and medical technician Abdelatif Seddar, who have been incarcerated since the court’s earlier ruling. The court, however, opted to reserve its decision on these release requests for further deliberation at the conclusion of the hearing.
Growing Support and Concerns Over Retaliation
The proceedings have captured considerable public and professional attention, with more than 35 lawyers rallying in support of the defendants in courtroom No. 5 at the Casablanca Court of Appeal. This remarkable turnout was complemented by the presence of trade union representatives, human rights advocates, and numerous supporters who observed the unfolding legal drama. Outside the courthouse, patients and their families gathered to show solidarity for Professor Cherkab, affectionately referred to as the “doctor of the poor.” Many attendees expressed gratitude for the compassionate medical care they or their loved ones had received from him at Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca, emphasizing his dedication to treating critically ill patients.
The case has ignited concerns among rights advocates, who suggest that the prosecution may be linked to Cherkab’s alleged attempts to expose irregularities within Morocco’s public healthcare system. Mohamed El Ghalloussi, a lawyer and president of the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Public Funds, voiced concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding the case. He suggested that Cherkab had become an inconvenient figure for certain parties, positing that the complaint filed by hospital administration might reflect retaliatory motives. Furthermore, El Ghalloussi has criticized what he perceives as influential networks benefiting from corruption and rent-seeking, warning that the outcome of this case could have significant implications for the protection of whistleblowers in public institutions.
On social media, El Ghalloussi highlighted the involvement of a substantial number of lawyers in the defense team as a contributing factor to the postponement. He also pointed out that one of the defendants, who received a six-month prison sentence in the initial ruling but remained free pending trial, had not been formally summoned to attend the Monday hearing. The court's upcoming decision on the requests for provisional release for Cherkab and Seddar is highly anticipated, with the November 16 hearing expected to further delve into legal arguments surrounding a case that has drawn significant attention from medical professionals and rights advocates alike, particularly regarding accountability, alleged misconduct within public institutions, and the safeguarding of those who report irregularities.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
