Continuing Legal Proceedings in Fez, Morocco
In the ongoing legal saga surrounding the tragic collapse of two buildings in the "Moustakbel" subdivision of the Al-Masira neighborhood in Fez, Ismail Al-Jai Al-Mansouri, a prominent member of the Istiqlal party and the president of the Zouagha district, has once again failed to attend his court hearing. This hearing, which took place in the primary chamber for financial crimes at the Court of Appeal in Fez, also involves 18 other defendants who are under scrutiny for their roles in this devastating incident that resulted in the loss of 22 lives and left 16 others injured in December of last year. Al-Mansouri's absence from today's session led the public prosecutor, Abdel Aziz Bouklata, to initially consider proceeding with a default ruling against him. However, he later retracted this decision upon confirming that Al-Mansouri was being charged with a misdemeanor rather than a felony.
The court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Al-Hiya, opted to postpone the trial of eight defendants currently in custody, along with 11 others who are free on bail, including Al-Mansouri and his deputies, until November 10. This adjournment allows for the summons of the Kingdom’s legal representative and the absent defendants from today’s session. The defense team for the detained defendants has requested provisional release for their clients, arguing that their social circumstances warrant such leniency, especially since they have committed to appearing in court when required and possess stable housing.
Charges and Investigations Unfold
The 19 defendants are facing charges relating to bribery, involuntary manslaughter, and injury due to negligence regarding urban planning regulations, among other serious offenses. These charges involve actions such as illegal construction, unauthorized property transactions, and violations of urban planning laws, with each defendant being held accountable according to their level of involvement in the alleged transgressions.
The investigation, initiated by the public prosecutor’s office, has already seen eight individuals detained since April, including local officials, municipal employees, and contractors involved in the construction of the collapsed buildings. Notable names among the accused include Mohamed Badoui and Azouz Lghadr, the original owners of the buildings, along with several municipal employees tasked with verifying building permits and civil status documents.
In contrast, the judge has also decided to pursue charges against 11 individuals who are currently free, including Al-Mansouri and his deputies from different political parties, as well as other officials and engineers. The public prosecutor recently announced that investigations revealed serious breaches in construction practices, such as the illegal addition of floors, the use of substandard materials, and unauthorized sales of air rights. Moreover, the investigation uncovered unlawful contracts and the issuance of housing certificates that did not adhere to applicable laws, highlighting significant mismanagement in urban planning.
The public prosecutor remains committed to closely monitoring this case, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the rule of law while keeping the public informed about developments in a situation that has reignited discussions about illegal construction and the responsibilities of various stakeholders in the urban planning sector.
As reported by ar.telquel.ma.
