Legal Proceedings Commence for Officials Involved in Fes Building Collapse
The Fes Court of Appeal has scheduled the first session of the trial concerning the collapse of two residential buildings in Fes that occurred in December of the previous year, involving a total of 21 defendants. The initial hearing is set for Monday, August 10, as confirmed by the public prosecutor's office.
The case, which tragically resulted in the loss of 22 lives and left 16 others injured, has brought serious allegations against several individuals, including accusations related to negligence and corruption. Among the defendants, one individual, identified as A.I., is facing charges for "delivering or ordering the delivery of administrative documents and certificates to a person knowing that they have no right to them." Meanwhile, other defendants, including G.A. and B.N., are being prosecuted for charges related to bribery and involuntary manslaughter due to negligence.
Furthermore, A.A. has been charged with bribery, while J.A., the district chief, faces similar accusations for improper document issuance. The investigation has revealed that both collapsed buildings were constructed with additional floors without the necessary legal permits, leading to unlawful sales and the issuance of occupancy certificates that did not comply with existing laws and regulations. These findings were corroborated through technical reports and inspections ordered by the public prosecutor's office.
The tragic incident occurred when one of the buildings, which was unoccupied, collapsed, while the other was hosting a family celebration, resulting in a significant loss of life, including women and children. The community of Fes has been deeply affected by this disaster, prompting calls for greater accountability among city officials and stricter enforcement of building regulations.
As reported by hespress.com.
