The Criminal Court of First Instance in Casablanca has reported an unprecedented positive outcome in the management of pretrial detention during the monthly meeting of the local monitoring committee for September 2025, chaired by the court president and the public prosecutor. The announced figures indicate that the court is “steadily working towards achieving a balance between deterrence and the guarantee of freedom” through intensive efforts to reduce the number of detainees.
Statistical data reflects a significant and noticeable decline in the number of pretrial detainees, with a total of 293 detainees remaining from the previous month. This number marks a major accomplishment:
Monthly decrease: A reduction of 12.27% compared to August 2025.
Yearly decrease: A substantial drop of 44.92% compared to the same month in 2024.
Detention rate: The public prosecutor affirmed that the detention rate among the public prosecution does not exceed 10% of the total individuals presented to it (708 out of 7,035), which is considered “a reasonable figure” and significantly lower than the national average of about 20%.
The figures show that cases of immediate offenses constituted the largest proportion of detainees, accounting for 65% (188 detainees), while investigative detainees comprised 14% (40 detainees).
This positive development, as stated by the public prosecutor “Mohamed Zouaki,” results from several measures, including efforts to expedite the resolution of cases involving detained individuals, particularly before immediate offense panels and investigative judges, ensuring that detentions are not prolonged without legal grounds. Effective coordination with prison institutions has also been enhanced to ensure defendants attend hearings on time and avoid delays that could harm the rights of the parties involved.
Additionally, a studied selective approach to proposing detention has been adopted, whether by the public prosecution or investigative judges, with special attention to applying alternatives to detention whenever the legal and objective conditions permit. As part of monitoring and evaluation, internal monthly bulletins have been prepared to track the status of detention and the date of the last action in detainee files, ensuring continuous and effective oversight of this sensitive issue.
In conclusion, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to continuing efforts to broaden the use of alternatives to detention and strengthen coordination among various stakeholders, emphasizing that what has been achieved is the result of tremendous work that reflects the efficiency and integration of efforts made by all parties involved in this vital area.
