Legal Proceedings Commence Following Tragic Incident
The Court of Appeal in Fes is set to initiate the first session of the trial involving 21 defendants next week, stemming from the collapse of two residential buildings in the Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood of Fes. This tragic incident, which occurred in December of last year, resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals and left 16 others injured. The initial hearing is scheduled for Monday, before the primary criminal court, after the public prosecutor referred the case to the appropriate judicial body, marking the commencement of the trial phase following several months of investigations conducted by judicial and security authorities.
The list of those accused includes elected officials, civil servants, and various professionals from multiple sectors, such as contractors, construction workers, and public notaries, alongside others who have been charged based on their alleged actions in relation to the incident. The defendants face a range of serious charges primarily revolving around involuntary manslaughter and bodily harm, bribery, mismanagement of non-transferable properties, and complicity in these actions, in addition to the unlawful issuance of administrative certificates to individuals who were not entitled to receive them.
One administrative employee has been charged with the unlawful issuance or ordering the issuance of documents and certificates to individuals he knew were not eligible. Two other employees face bribery charges and are implicated in the involuntary manslaughter of the victims, while another individual stands accused of bribery. Additionally, another defendant faces charges related to unlawfully issuing documents and certificates, while two others are charged with mismanagement of non-transferable properties, bribery, and causing involuntary manslaughter due to negligence.
The circumstances surrounding this case date back to December when the two residential buildings in the Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood collapsed, resulting in 22 fatalities and 16 injuries. Investigations conducted following the incident revealed severe irregularities in the construction of the buildings, including the addition of new floors without the necessary legal permits, the use of second-hand construction materials, and the unlawful transfer of air rights, as well as the execution of sales contracts outside legal procedures, in addition to issuing occupancy certificates without adhering to the current laws and regulations.
Previously, the investigating judge assigned to the case decided to place eight defendants in pretrial detention while continuing investigations with the remaining suspects who are currently free.
As reported by marrakechalaan.com.
