Prosecution opens case in trial of 35-year-old Zakaria Laaraj at Supreme Court

The prosecution has opened its case in the trial of 35-year-old Zakaria Laaraj at the Supreme Court.

Mr Laaraj faces 20 charges of sexual offences involving two complainants who were under the ages of 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offences.

The defendant denies all charges

‘20 charges are the committed offences he faces today’ Those were the words of Prosecutor, Kerrin Drago, as he addressed the jury.

Zakaria Laaraj faces charges of sexual assault on a child under 13, sexual assault on a child under 16 and causing a girl to engage in sexual activity.

Mr Drago emphasised the pattern in Mr Laaraj’s behaviour, noting similarities between the two complaints. He highlighted that during the defendant’s police interview, Mr Laaraj admitted to some allegations concerning one complainant, referred to as Ms. X, stating he was “tempted by the devil.” However, Mr Laaraj also claimed the complainant did not object to his actions, which Drago suggested was an attempt to shift blame.

After lunch, the court heard the police interview of Ms. Y, who described multiple sexual assaults by Mr Laaraj. She recounted two specific incidents that, while feeling prolonged, likely lasted less than an hour.

When asked by Mr. Drago why she had never disclosed the alleged assaults, Ms. Y explained that she feared the defendant, and worried her family wouldn’t believe her.

Now aged 22, she said since the assaults, she feels uncomfortable being close to people, and finds hugging difficult. She added, forming relationships has been challenging due to trust issues stemming from her childhood.

The trial continues.