Moroccan lawyers’ group has criticised the French justice system over its handling of the rape investigation involving Achraf Hakimi, alleging serious legal irregularities and procedural delays.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Club of Lawyers in Morocco accused French authorities of violating fundamental legal principles, including the right to a fair and speedy trial.
The group argued that the investigation into the Paris Saint-Germain defender has been tainted by “serious breaches” of due process, in contravention of both French law and the European Convention on Human Rights.
The lawyers condemned what they described as media-driven pressure on the case and highlighted that the probe was launched based solely on a verbal allegation, absent a formal complaint, medical examination, or early cooperation from the complainant.
The case, which dates back to February 2023, has yet to reach a conclusion nearly two and a half years later—a timeline the Moroccan group says is unacceptable and infringes on Hakimi’s rights.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” the lawyers stated, referencing a European court precedent.
Hakimi’s legal team has also criticised the prolonged process and maintains the player’s innocence. French media reports have published messages between the alleged victim and a friend, which suggest the encounter may not have unfolded as initially portrayed.
These exchanges reportedly occurred before, during, and after the meeting.
The alleged incident took place on February 24, 2023, when the woman, then 24, visited Hakimi at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris.
She later went to a police station in Nogent-sur-Marne, where she recounted the incident but did not file an official complaint. Hakimi was formally placed under investigation for rape on March 3, 2023.
Investigators discovered messages sent by the woman during the visit in which she claimed she was being assaulted, though she later stated in her police testimony that Hakimi “was not violent.” Her friend reportedly picked her up afterwards.
Some earlier text exchanges between the woman and her friend have further complicated the case. In the messages, the pair allegedly joked about playing the role of a “femme fatale,” with phrases such as “crack the codes” and “rob him” raising suspicions of a possible extortion attempt.
Hakimi’s lawyer has pointed to these messages as evidence of a potential plan to financially blackmail the player.
In his account to investigators, Hakimi acknowledged they kissed but said she clearly communicated that nothing more would happen, which he claims to have respected.
“She said nothing would happen the first night. I said OK,” Hakimi said, noting that she continued using her phone throughout the visit.
France international Kylian Mbappé, a former teammate of Hakimi, has also spoken in support of the defender.
“Even when drunk, I’ve never seen him act out of line,” Mbappé told investigators. “He’s always been respectful toward women.”
The case has stirred intense public reaction, especially in Morocco, where many fans have questioned the timing of renewed scrutiny, just days before the announcement of the Ballon d’Or nominations.
Some suspect a deliberate attempt to damage Hakimi’s reputation.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office has yet to confirm whether the case will proceed to trial. No physical evidence has been released publicly, and the complainant has reportedly declined to share her full message history with investigators.
