In its publication on Monday, June 29, 2026, the Moroccan events newspaper strongly highlighted the concerning role that Canadian authorities play in hosting a systematic smear campaign targeting prominent Moroccan state officials, considering this targeting a direct attack on the sovereignty of the Kingdom and its institutions.
The newspaper emphasized how Canadian territory has turned into a safe rear base for criminal networks leading daily extortion and defamation operations against national icons such as the royal advisor Fouad Ali El Himma, the Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance Abdelatif Hammouchi, and the Director of Studies and Documentation Yassine Mansouri. These men, who embody national stability and firmness, have become targets of false accusations, public insults, and malicious rumors that audaciously emerge from within Canada, according to its expression.
The newspaper explicitly accuses Canadian authorities of turning a blind eye to these criminal activities despite the availability of documented evidence. The so-called Mehdi Hijjawi (the previously dismissed employee who is internationally pursued on charges of fraud) and Hicham Girando (convicted by Canadian courts themselves) are managing their systematic operations from Canada, exploiting what is called “freedom of expression” as a cover for organized crimes.
The newspaper questioned how a country that promotes the rule of law allows its territory to become a platform to strike a strategic partner like Morocco? And where is the diplomatic and legal responsibility of Ottawa, which speaks of balanced relations while turning a blind eye to the digital dagger aimed at the Kingdom’s institutions?
The Moroccan events affirmed that the silence of Canadian authorities is no longer acceptable, as it places Canada’s credibility before a real test. Allowing defamation and extortion gangs to operate freely within its borders is completely contradictory to its declared values and to the partnership it claims with Morocco.
In this context, the newspaper issued a clear and direct call for the Moroccan state to act vigorously and decisively. It stated, “The Moroccan response must be thoughtful and effective to protect the symbols of the state and the reputation of its institutions, and to put an end to these miserable campaigns targeting the Kingdom’s prestige. Morocco, with its rich history and established legitimacy, cannot stand idly by in the face of a handful of haters and mercenaries who have found refuge abroad.”
The Leak Scandal
This stance indicates an impending diplomatic crisis between the two countries, coming after leaks revealed that what Hicham Girando is doing is not merely an expression of opinion, but a tool for a former intelligence agent who openly expresses his desire for revenge against his former superiors, directly threatening violence.
The leaks highlighted the conspiracy, fabrication, and accusations aimed at destabilizing Morocco, and the matter did not stop at merely criticizing the authorities. After all plans failed, Hijjawi’s gang resorted to extortion and defamation, which has started to affect officials and ordinary citizens alike.
