Legal Proceedings in the Fes Building Collapse Case
The primary criminal court of the Appeals Tribunal in Fes has postponed the hearing concerning the collapse of two residential buildings in the Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood, which resulted in the tragic loss of 22 lives and left numerous individuals injured. On September 8, the court has scheduled a new date for the session, allowing the defendants time to prepare and appoint their legal representatives, as well as to ensure the attendance of those accused who were absent during the previous session.
The case involves 21 individuals, including officials, elected representatives, authority agents, contractors, real estate developers, employees, and public notaries. Each defendant faces varying charges based on their alleged roles in the incident. The legal ramifications include suspicions surrounding the issuance of documents and administrative certificates to individuals who do not meet the necessary legal criteria, as well as allegations of bribery, abuse of power, mismanagement of non-transferable assets, and complicity in these acts.
Several defendants are also charged with causing death and unintentional injuries due to negligence and failure to take necessary precautions, following the investigations that ensued after the buildings' collapse. Previously, the public prosecutor revealed that investigations had uncovered several factors possibly linked to the incident, including the use of construction materials that did not meet standards or had been previously used, as well as the improper transfer of what is known as 'air rights' outside of legal regulations.
Furthermore, the inquiry revealed that contracts of sale had been drafted in violation of legal provisions, along with the issuance of occupancy certificates without adherence to established procedures and regulations. These findings have now become integral to the case file, which is expected to see further developments in September.
As reported by alalam24.press.ma.
