Strengthening France-Morocco Judicial Cooperation in Crime-Fighting

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin visited Morocco to bolster judicial cooperation, addressing asset confiscation challenges and discussing counter-terrorism efforts. His engagements included key meetings with Moroccan officials and a focus on improving collaboration in combating organized crime. This visit reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts between France and Morocco.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin embarked on a 24-hour visit to Morocco to strengthen judicial cooperation between France and Morocco. This visit marks Darmanin’s initial official engagement in his capacity as justice minister. He expressed approval of the existing judicial collaboration, stating, “This cooperation is excellent,” and acknowledged Morocco’s significant contributions to intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism efforts.

During his meeting with Moroccan officials, Darmanin highlighted the need to improve asset confiscation methods, noting that while both countries seize significant amounts of assets, the actual confiscation remains low. He remarked, “in judicial cases, we seize a lot, but we confiscate relatively little on both sides of the Mediterranean. This absolutely needs to be improved.”

Darmanin’s agenda includes discussions with Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and the King’s Prosecutor General, El-Hassan Daki, focusing on counter-terrorism and organized crime. He emphasized the role of the French Agency for Managing and Recovering Seized and Confiscated Assets (Agrasc) in bolstering Morocco’s capabilities in this area.

The visit is timely, as collaboration has recently resulted in Moroccan authorities dismantling Islamic State-linked cells and apprehending significant drug traffickers. Previously, during his role as Interior Minister, Darmanin praised Morocco’s efforts against drug trafficking, referring to the capture of notable criminals in both Casablanca and Marrakech.

Darmanin’s visit is also critical for expediting consular processes that facilitate the expulsion of irregular migrants from France. The agreement to streamline this process reflects a growing diplomatic rapport, bolstered by previous high-level visits from French officials.

In conclusion, Minister Gérald Darmanin’s visit to Morocco underscores the deepening judicial cooperation between France and Morocco, particularly in combating organized crime and terrorism. The discussions indicated a mutual commitment to enhancing asset confiscation processes and streamlining migration issues. This continued partnership, characterizing recent diplomatic efforts, signifies a strengthened bilateral relationship, particularly in security and legal matters.

Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com