Hicham Belahouel Appointed as New Public Prosecutor: A Distinguished Judicial Career and High Institutional Expertise
Hicham Belahouel, the man appointed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI as the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, is a model of a solid judicial career built on competence, discipline, and merit. Born in 1977 in Salé, he dedicated his career to justice since joining the Higher Institute of the Judiciary in 2001, focusing on developing the judicial system from within.
His journey began at the Court of First Instance in Souk Sebt in 2003 as a Deputy Public Prosecutor, before moving to Meknes where he continued his judicial duties with the same seriousness and commitment. He later joined the Ministry of Justice as a Magistrate attached to the Directorate of Criminal Affairs and Pardons, then as a Judge responsible for the National Criminal Record, where he accumulated deep executive experience within the judicial administrative apparatus.
Between 2010 and 2014, he headed the Department of Pardons and Conditional Releases, a sensitive position requiring precision and extensive knowledge. In 2014, he was appointed as the chief of staff to the Minister of Justice and Freedoms, then as head of the Criminal Sanctions Department, further confirming his ability to combine legal depth with effective management.
Belahouel also proved his competence within the Office of the Public Prosecutor, where he served as Chief of Staff in 2017 and then as Secretary General since 2018, taking on additional responsibilities coordinating between judicial authorities and overseeing sensitive technical issues in the Judicial Archives Committee and the Tax Offenses Committee. This career progression was not coincidental, but rather a result of systematic work and professional perseverance, supported by substantial academic training, culminating in a doctorate in private law from Mohammed V University in 2013 after obtaining a diploma in advanced studies in 2005.
Professor Belahouel is known for his strong interest in human rights issues, which was evident in his active participation in specialized training sessions for judges and legal practitioners on combating torture and protecting freedoms, embodying a steadfast commitment to justice and human dignity. He possesses high-level communication skills and an exceptional ability to build positive relationships with various stakeholders in the judicial system, enhancing the prospects of establishing the Public Prosecutor’s Office as an effective institution close to the citizens.
Beyond offices and positions, Hicham Belahouel has contributed to training generations of judges and researchers, teaching at the Faculty of Law in Salé and at the Higher Institute of the Judiciary. He also represented Morocco as an expert in criminal matters at the European Committee as part of the “Med-Jud 2” program, reflecting the international dimension of his professional career.
His appointment as head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office is a natural culmination for a man who has experienced the intricacies of the judiciary from the courtrooms to high decision-making circles, building his credentials on seriousness, experience, and engagement in the justice sector with an institutional and professional approach. Hicham Belahouel embodies a new generation of administrative judges, where rigor meets knowledge, and decision-making intersects with responsibility.
