Throughout 2021, several Moroccan journalists faced charges related to "sex crimes," which human rights groups like Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists criticized as a tactic to silence dissent.
But Moroccans have not forgotten. The phrase “ Belguel ” has entered popular slang in the Soussi dialect to mean “a deal done behind closed doors.” And in the cafes of Agadir’s Talborjt neighborhood, you can still hear the joke: “What’s the difference between a Belgian chocolate and a Belguel contract? The chocolate melts in your mouth; the contract melts your rights.” belguel moroccan scandal from agadir 2021
The most explosive element, revealed by the Observateur Marocain in September 2021, was the "Registry of Favors." A former secretary at the Agadir Urban Agency testified that Belguel kept a coded notebook listing monthly payments to mid-level officials in charge of building permits and environmental impact assessments. The governor of Agadir at the time (who was dismissed in a cabinet reshuffle in October 2021) was not directly implicated, but his Director of Urban Affairs was placed under formal investigation for "facilitating illegal construction." The chocolate melts in your mouth; the contract
A CD-ROM containing these images and videos began circulating in Agadir’s local marketplaces, leading to widespread public outcry. Here is a summary of where key elements
As of late 2023, the Belguel case remains in a legal limbo. Here is a summary of where key elements stand:
: The "scandal" broke when a CD-ROM containing these photos began circulating in Agadir’s local markets.