Keywords: Morocco, justice, false testimony, false witnesses, perjury,

With weary faces and practiced voices, false witnesses infiltrate Moroccan courts like flies on an open wound. They are not connected to the case by any valid relationship, only by a low price and the willingness to sell their conscience. They are not merely « parasites of justice » but a group that thrives in chaos and feeds on the fragility of trust in the judicial system.

In the city of Tangier, a recent case highlighted this corrupt practice. The Court of First Instance convicted an individual of perjury after it was proven that he had falsified information in a case of physical assault and home invasion. What began as a conflict between two families became a matter of public interest when it was revealed that a witness had attempted to distort the facts to exonerate one party and condemn the other. A lawyer described the incident as a « cheap farce. »

However, justice acted firmly. The court sentenced the accused to two months’ imprisonment, suspended, and a fine of 20,000 dirhams as compensation for the affected party. The decision sent a clear message to those who believe that courts are an open space for negotiating the truth.

A lawyer from the Tangier Bar Association warned about the seriousness of the problem: « False witnesses are not only a burden on justice but a silent cancer in the courts. They are experts in distorting the truth, selling their statements as if they were merchandise in any market. »

Under the porticoes of justice, these « miserable stalkers, » as some citizens call them, operate with complete freedom. You don’t need a case or a file; it’s enough to go to the courthouse for someone to appear offering their testimony in exchange for money.

« I just wanted to deliver an administrative document when a man offered to testify in my favor for 100 dirhams, » a citizen recounted. Thus, the courts become scenes where sworn statements are sold to the highest bidder, with false witnesses moving like employees in the shadows of justice.

The problem is not exclusive to Tangier. Judicial sources indicate that the Rabat Public Prosecutor’s Office is closely monitoring this phenomenon and its impact on public trust in institutions. Clandestine networks of false witnesses have been detected in several courts across the country, operating in secret and, sometimes, in coordination with the parties in litigation.

« They are mercenaries of the truth, » a human rights activist pointed out. « They have no scruples or morals. They change their statements like an actor changes roles, and in the end, justice is the one that pays the price. »

Despite judicial reforms, doubts persist about the effectiveness of penalties against this scourge. Although perjury is punishable by imprisonment and fines, many culprits evade justice, perpetuating the perception that whoever pays for a witness has the last word in court.

In a country where the judiciary is key to justice and development, eradicating the corruption of false witnesses is essential to restore the credibility of the system and ensure fair and impartial judicial processes.

El Periodico de Ceuta, 23/03/2025

#Morocco #Justice #FalseTestimony